How charities support young carers

There are tens of thousands of young people aged under 18 with caring responsibilities, although the exact number is not known.

 

A survey by the BBC in 2018 estimated there could be as many as 820,000 young carers aged between 11 and 15 in the UK.

 

Meanwhile the 2021 ONS census reported there were 120,000 young carers aged between five and 18, and a 2023 census of schools suggested 39,000 were known to teachers.

 

“One thing is for certain: There are clearly a significant number of young people across the country with caring responsibilities, and it’s important that every one of them is getting the support they need,” says The Children’s Society, which is among charities supporting them.

 

Cooking meals, shopping, cleaning, managing medicines, looking after siblings, and giving emotional support are among the many daily tasks young carers carry out for family members, who may have long term medical conditions or disabilities.

 

They perform an incredible job and should be proud of themselves, but the role also comes with challenges, according to Barnardo’s, another charity created to support young carers.

 

Many young carers struggle at school, and they can be bullied for being ‘different’. They also suffer from lack of money, digital exclusion and can often feel isolated.

 

Barnardo’s warns that one in three young carers says their role make them feel stressed.

 

Here we look at some of the ways charities are helping to support young carers and address the challenges they face.

 

 

How to tackle digital exclusion

 

One in three households where an adult has a disability live in  poverty, with many of these including children with caring duties, according to figures from Disability Rights UK.

 

Half of these households are impacted by digital exclusion as they lack access to the internet, mobile phones and other devices.  

 

To tackle this the charity Digital Poverty Alliance and E2BN, which provides technology advice to schools, are running a scheme to support around 100 young carers aged between 14 and 25.

 

Called Tech4YoungCarers the initiative is helping young carers in the East of England to give them devices as well as training in digital skills and literacy.

 

“By providing young carers with the devices, connectivity, and training they need, we hope to open up new opportunities for their education and growth,” says E2BN Director John Chapman. “It’s about giving them a fair shot at thriving despite the tough circumstances they face.” The initiative is being evaluated by academics at Nottingham Trent University.

 

Digital Poverty Alliance Chief Executive Elizabeth Anderson explains: “Digital exclusion remains a critical issue across the UK, particularly for young carers who face unique challenges due to their caregiving responsibilities.

 

“This digital gap significantly impacts young carers’ education and personal development, as many lack the devices and connectivity needed for online learning and personal growth.

 

“By equipping these individuals with the tools they need, we aim to bridge the digital divide and support young carers in fully participating in their education and personal development.”

 

 

How to address isolation

 

Each summer The Children’s Society partners with YMCA Fairthorne Group to host “the largest festival in the world” for young carers.

 

This annual Young Carers Festival is a chance for young carers to have fund and make new friends to combat the isolation many feel.

 

Activities include fairground rides, live music, outdoor movies, fireworks, and a silent disco.

 

 

The charity also runs a nationwide programme for young carers to offer advice and support to ensure their caring duties do not get in the way of their school work or having fun.

 

Initiatives through the programme include Young Carers in Schools which is run jointly between The Children’s Society, Carers Trust and Young Carers in Schools. This works with schools to share good practice and provide training.

 

The Children’s Society also provides a series of online resources for young carers on accessing support, caring for someone with a mental illness, and supporting siblings.

 

Similarly, Barnardo’s also helps tackle loneliness among young carers, by offering counselling and organising outings and activities. They also talk to schools on behalf of young people and run drop-in centres for young carers to have a break and “be a child”.

 

 

How to combat bullying

 

The Carers Trust has published a guide for schools, community groups and policy makers on how to protect young carers from bullying, including being physically attacked, name calling, and targeted online.

 

The Trust’s report found that “a significant number” of young carers the charity spoke to say their family member’s disability or illness is the main reason for being bullied.

 

“Where the disability is obvious because a parent uses a mobility aid or because of their physical appearance, other children may focus on this difference and act in an unkind way,” its report warns.

 

Advice includes ensuring all staff are aware of the distinct challenges facing young carers. Crucially schools need to ensure young carers help design support.

 

Another piece of advice is to have an identified person at school who young carers can go to if they are being impacted by challenges such as bullying.

 

“Regular mentor sessions and young carer visits in school have helped me particularly when I am stressed. It is hard to let my mum know my worries sometimes, as she is ill,” according to one young carer who had benefitted from this approach from their school.