Young Carer Supports

Young carers are people up to the age of 25 years old who provide unpaid care to a family member or friend that lives with disability, a substance dependency, a physical or mental illness or a person who is frail with age. Are you a Young Carer? What do young carers do? Many young carers perform tasks not normally undertaken by others in their age group. Responsibilities can include shopping, cooking meals, looking after younger siblings, doing housework, helping with mobility, providing emotional supports, taking care of medications, managing family finances, helping communicate and personal care. How Carers ACT Supports Young Carers At Carers ACT, we know that being a young carer can be a rewarding experience but it can also be overwhelming at times, trying to balance study, friends and caring. Regardless of age, no carer has to go it alone. We can help you by:

• giving you information and advice
• offering scholarships and assistance with education costs
• referring you to counselling and/or support groups
• arranging short-term replacement care so you can have a break
• organising groups and activities with other young carers

If you are a school-aged young carer struggling with the balance of your caring role and managing your school life, we can help by:

• organising tuition to help with school work
• working with teachers to help students balance their caring role and schoolwork
• talking to your school about young carers
• helping your school form a young carers group

Contact our Young Carer Coordinator on 1800 960 990 or 6296 9900 or email young.carers@carersact.org.au