There are many children and young people in Blackburn with Darwen who are Young Carers. You may look after a parent who is ill, disabled, or who is addicted to drugs or alcohol or you may assist the rest of the family when your parent isn’t able to, or give up your time to help your parents look after a disabled brother or sister. There is help available for you as a Young Carer. There are independent support groups – called Young Carer projects which provide help, advice and information and also have chill nights where you can meet other children and young people like yourself who are caring for someone in their family.

Who are young carers?
Young Carers are children and young people under the age of 18 years, who provide care to another family member who has a physical illness or disability, mental ill healt, a sensory disability or maybe is dependent on drugs or alcohol. Young Carers carry out, often on a regular basis, significant or substantial caring tasks, taking on a high level of responsibility. These Young Carers and their families are a vulnerable group and require a high level of support from both adult and children services. The level of care they provide would usually be undertaken by an adult and as a result if this it has a significant impact on their normal childhood development.

What is the impact on being a Young Carer?
Being a Young Carer can have detrimental effects on children and young people including problems at school, health problems, emotional difficulties, isolation, lack of time for leisure, feeling ‘different’ and pressure from keeping family problems a secret, problems with transition into adulthood, a lack of recognition and a feeling of not being listened to.

Do you know a Young Carer?
If you do, Child Action Northwest in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council have established a Young Carers project, based at the carers centre in Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn. The project currently supports many Young Carers within the Blackburn with Darwen area, all Young Carers have access to support groups and activities, educational activities and accredited training workshops to develop safe caring practices.