Young carers are people under 18 that help a family member or friend with tasks they cannot do or need help doing.
This may be due to illness, disability, mental health or drug or alcohol use.
You may be able to get support, if you help someone with tasks like:
- cooking, housework, shopping
- lifting, getting up the stairs and physiotherapy
- dressing, washing and helping someone go to the toilet
- listening, calming someone and being present
- paying the bills, managing finances and collecting benefits
- looking after siblings by doing things like walking them to school
- interpreting for parents with hearing or speech needs or who have English as an additional language
- giving them medication like insulin and daily tablets
Get advice and support
You can get advice about:
- your rights, finding local support, health, finances and starting work
- getting help from school, social workers and healthcare professionals
Find local support and connect with other young carers
If you look after someone, you can join the Children and Young People Who Care Network to:
- chat about issues that are important to you
- get involved in support in Royal Greenwich
- hear and chat about things that may affect you, your family or those you care for
If you are under 16, we will phone you first to talk to you about the network.
If you need help now or would like to know what support you can get, contact the Families Information Service by:
- phoning 020 8921 6921
- emailing FIS@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Find activities and things to do
You should be able to take time to do things you enjoy.