Young Carers

Who is young carer?

Young carers are children and young people who look after someone in their family who:

  • has an illness
  • has a disability
  • is affected by mental ill-health
  • is affected by alcohol or substance misuse.

Young carers often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.

What do young carers do?

The tasks young carers carry out can vary depending on:

  • the nature of the illness or disability of the person they are looking after
  • the level and frequency of need for care
  • the structure of the family as a whole

A young carer may do some or all of the following:

  • Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping
  • Physical care, such as lifting, or helping a family member on stairs or with physiotherapy
  • Personal care, such as dressing, washing, or helping with toileting needs
  • Managing the family budget, collecting benefits and prescriptions
  • Administering medication
  • Provide emotional support
  • Interpreting, due to hearing or speech impairment or because English is not the family's first language

Some young carers may undertake high levels of care, but for some it may be frequent low levels of care. Either can impact heavily on a child or young person.

Newhams Integrated Carers Support Service

Who are Newham Carers Community?

We are a newly commissioned service which is delivered in a partnership of Age UK East London as Lead, with Subco Trust and The Renewal Programme to provide support to carers and young carers across the borough of Newham. We offer free and confidential advice, information, activities and support to unpaid carers living or caring for someone living in Newham.

In our monthly Newsletter we will inform you of news, important dates and events,
January’s Carer and Community Staff spotlights, useful information and training
opportunities. Please click January's Monthly Newsletter to view.

For additional support please view our Training Schedule and Workshops and book a session!

Making a referral

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a Carers Support Worker before making a referral, please contact the team on: 020 3954 3143 or email: info@newhamcarerscommunity.org.uk

Newham Rise

Newham Rise can help if you:

  • Are worried about the drug or alcohol use of someone you care for
  • Would like to talk to someone about how another person’s drug use is affecting you.

Newham Rise provides a range of support to families, individuals and carers in Newham affected by drugs and alcohol.

Services include family, couple and individual therapeutic interventions such as:

  • Counselling
  • Carers' support group
  • Drugs and alcohol awareness
  • Carers' assessments
  • Parenting support
  • Evening clinic: 5pm-7pm.

Please visit Newham Rise Drug and Alcohol Service Hubs

Last updated: 20/02/2024

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