Help for young carers

A young carer is someone who is: 

• 18 years old or younger (if you are 18+ see: Support for Carers Leicestershire - VASL) 
• helping someone at home because they can’t fully look after themselves 

You may be regularly helping a family member – adult or child – who has a: 

• long-term illness – such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes 
• physical disability – eg uses a wheelchair, is visually impaired 
• a neurodevelopmental condition like ADHD or ASD  
• mental health diagnosis– like depression
• Drug or Alcohol problem (this could be an addiction) 

Some of the things you might be helping with could be: 

• helping someone wash, go to the toilet or get dressed 
• lifting someone, helping them use the stairs  
• cooking, doing the housework or going shopping because an adult can’t do it 
• managing money and paying bills  
• collecting benefits and prescriptions 
• giving medication to an adult or sibling 
• going with someone to the doctor or hospital 
• look after a brother or sister and make sure they’re safe 
• translating or interpreting for someone 
• cheering someone up or helping them when they are feeling down