If you are under 19 and help care for somebody at home, you are what we call a young carer. The person you care for could be your mum or dad, a sister or brother, or another member of your family. You need support too.
Young carers cope with many responsibilities and you might find that you struggle to fit your school work or exam revision in around your caring duties like cooking and housework.
It can also be difficult to find time for your friends. You might find that your friends and classmates don't understand what you are going through as a young carer or that you find it difficult to tell people about what you do at home to help.
You are not on your own. There are lots of young carers out there, going through the same things as you.
Barking & Dagenham Young Carers
At Barking & Dagenham and Thurrock Young Carers we provide advice, information and support for young people who care for someone in their family with a long-term illness, disability, mental health condition or drug and alcohol misuse. Whether you care for your mum, dad, brother, sister or grandparent, we are here to provide help & support when you need it. Making friends with other young people who are dealing with the same things as you can really help, and you can talk to someone who understands your situation.
Our Young Carers Service supports Young Carers aged 8-18 years old.
Services we provide include:
- virtual and/or home visits
- one-to-one support
- respite activities
- training/workshops
- newsletter and information
- residential trips
- school support
- access to group private tutoring
- a chance to join our Youth Group Our Second Home (OSH)
For young carers it’s a chance to:
- have someone to talk to about your worries
- have friendly support and advice
- have some fun doing things you enjoy
- meet new friends navigating similar challenges
- foster new hobbies and aspirations
To make a referral, please complete our Barking & Dagenham Young Carers Referral Form. Our Young Carerrs website also provides a huge amount of information on pathways to support.’
Contact Details
Young Carers
Carers Centre SA Ltd
02085934422
Carers charter
Download the carers charter (PDF, 400KB)
Useful contacts
Carers of Barking and Dagenham
Carers of Barking and Dagenham website.
020 8593 4422
The Children's Society - Young Carers
Include: Supporting young carers and their families website.
Child Line
0800 1111
Childline website.
Samaritans
08457 90 90 90
Samaritans website.
Carers Direct
For advice and support with caring issues over the phone, you can call the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053.
If you are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing or have impaired speech, you can contact the Carers Direct helpline using textphone or minicom number 0300 123 1004.