Summary
It is not easy to be a carer at any age, but being a young carer brings its own set of challenges. This article is about all the ways that being a young carer can affect young people, and help you understand your rights, and where you can get support if you need it.
Who is a Young Carer?
A young carer is anyone under the age of 18 who looks after or helps to look after another person in their family. For example, this might be a parent or a younger sister or brother who is sick, or who needs additional support due to a health condition or a disability.
Being a Young Carer
Being a young carer can affect you in different ways. You might:
- Feel lonely or isolated from your friends
- Miss school or miss out on school work
- Feel like you are not doing enough
- Feel like you do not have a choice
- Feel tired and exhausted
- Feel sad, angry or not in control
Your rights as a young carer
You might enjoy caring for people and this might make you feel happy. Sometimes, however, being a young carer might make you feel under pressure. It is important to remember:
Take a break
You can take a break and look after yourself.
It might feel like you haven’t got time to take break, you might feel like you are letting someone down if you do.
Talk
You have the right to talk about your feelings.
It can be difficult to know who to turn to, to find someone who will understand you, but there are people out there who you can talk to.
Get Support
You have the right to get support and to ask for help.
As a young carer, you might feel like you need support. You are not alone and can always ask for help.
Is there an adult you trust who you can talk with about how you feel? Childline is always here to listen.
You can also have a look at the support available from an organisation called Family Carers Ireland. You can read more information on their website.
Key takeaways
- Being a young carer can be difficult, but there are people available to help.
- You have the right to talk, take breaks and to seek support.
- Always try to reach out for support as soon as you need it.
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