Support for young carers

Who is a young carer?

Young carers are children and young people (up to the age of 18 years) who look after someone who needs care and support. Some care for parents or siblings, others care for grandparents, other family members or friends who need help. The people they care for need support because of illness or disability. A young carer might look after someone with:

• a physical disability
• a learning disability
• mental illness
• HIV/Aids
• problems due to substance misuse, or
• any other condition that affects their daily life

Young carers help in lots of ways with things like:

• cooking
• housework
• shopping
• giving medication
• help with moving around
• keeping an eye on someone
• helping them to wash and dress
• and cheering them up

Young carers also have to look after themselves a lot of the time.

Caring for a family member can be very rewarding, but also hard work. Some young carers find it difficult to keep up with school work, go out with friends and stay healthy. Some young carers feel different from other children and young people and can be very isolated. Sometimes they get picked on. These things can have a big impact. Difficulties at school can affect attainment levels and future prospects.

There are estimated to be at least 16,000 young carers in Aberdeenshire, the average age nationally being 12.

Support for young carers

If you are a young carer and are having problems, talk to your parents, a close relative or your friends. You could also talk to someone like your teacher or your doctor and they may be able to help.

There are a number of national organisations which offer help and advice to young carers as well as campaigning for young carer’s rights. See the links at the side of the page to access some of these.

Young carers support workers can offer one-to-one support and help to access services. Some provide activities and clubs and organize day trips and residential breaks.

There are three young carers support projects in Aberdeenshire covering North, South and Central areas. You can find out what is available in your local area by contacting the workers directly.

North Aberdeenshire

VSA has a young carers support worker covering North Aberdeenshire. This includes Fraserburgh through Peterhead to Hatton in the east, to Portsoy through Aberchirder to Fyvie in the west. You can contact:

Young Carers Support worker
VSA Carers Centre
5 North Street
Peterhead

Telephone: 01779 481600

South Aberdeenshire

VSA has a young carers support worker covering South Aberdeenshire. This includes Kincardine & Mearns, Stonehaven. You can contact:

the young carers support worker on 01569 766986

The VSA's main office is based at:

VSA (main office)
38 Castle Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5YU

Telephone: 01224 212 021
Fax: 01224 580 722
E-mail: info@vsa.org.uk

Central Aberdeenshire

Gordon Rural Action has two Young Carers Support Workers, one based in Huntly and one based in Inverurie. The project covers the whole of central Aberdeenshire. You can contact:

Young Carers Support Worker
15a High Street
Inverurie
AB51 3QA

Telephone: 01467 629955

Or,

Young Carers Support Worker
55 Gordon Street
Huntly
AB54 8EQ

Telephone: 01466 793676

Email address: youngcarers@gordonrural.org.uk