FIND SOLUTIONS TOGETHER
Many young people help care for someone at home, such as a parent, sibling, grandparent, or other family member. You might assist with practical things, offer emotional support, or worry about someone’s well-being.
Being a young carer can look very different depending on your age. If you’re younger, you might help by keeping someone company, fetching things, or looking after a brother or sister. As you grow older, you may take on more responsibility – assisting with cooking, housework, emotional support, or worrying about what might happen when you’re not there. If this sounds like you, you might be a young carer, and support is available to help you balance caring, school, friendships, and being yourself.
No matter how caring looks for you, it can be a significant part of your life, and we’re here to support you in ways that suit your age, your situation, and what matters most to you.
You don’t need to do everything on your own, nor do you need to have all the answers. Westmorland and Furness Carer Support Service can help you understand whether you’re a young carer and what kind of support might be available.
Transition to adult services
Turning 18 can bring many changes, and if you’re a young carer, it may lead to new questions or concerns about college or work, finances, benefits, consent, or what happens to the support you’ve been receiving. We won’t simply step back at this point. We’ll work with you to plan your transition into adult carer support in a way that feels right for you, helping you understand your options and ensuring your caring role is recognised. If you continue to care, we’ll support you to access the appropriate adult services; if your circumstances change, we’ll help you explore what support you still need as you move forward with your own goals and independence.
Many young carers do not realise they are a carer because what they do feels normal in their family. However, if caring impacts your time, education, health, or feelings, it is vital that someone is aware of it and can offer you support.
Get Support at School or College
You might not want people at school to know that you’re a young carer, and that’s completely understandable. However, if your school doesn’t know what’s happening at home, it can be difficult for teachers to understand if you arrive late, miss lessons, struggle with your work, or find homework challenging sometimes.
If talking to a teacher or someone at school feels awkward or too difficult, you don’t have to do it alone. You can ask a parent, carer, or another trusted adult to inform the school on your behalf, for example, by writing to your form tutor or head of year.
When schools understand that you’re a young carer, there are many ways they can support you, such as:
If caring is affecting your time at school, your learning, or how you’re feeling, you don’t have to handle it alone. Contact us, as we’re here to help you find the right support.
Connect with other Young Carers
Being a young carer can sometimes feel lonely, especially if those around you don’t truly understand what life at home involves. Meeting other young carers can help you realise you’re not alone and that others your age understand your experiences.
We can help you connect with groups or activities where you can meet other young carers, share experiences, and simply be yourself. This might involve groups, enjoyable activities, or creative sessions where caring isn’t always the main focus. Many young carers say it helps to talk or just spend time with people who understand, without needing to explain.
There’s no pressure to join in immediately or to share anything you’re not comfortable with. You can go at your own pace, make new friends, build confidence, and develop new skills in a space where you’re accepted for who you are.
Young Carer’s Voice
Your views matter, and you deserve to be listened to. We’ll support you to speak up about what’s important to you, whether that’s how caring affects your day today life, the support you need right now, or things you’d like to change for the future.
This could mean helping you communicate your views with professionals, schools, or services, or simply offering you a safe space to talk and be heard. You can also choose to get involved in shaping our services by sharing ideas, giving feedback, or helping us understand what works well (and what doesn’t) for young carers like you.
There’s no pressure to take part in anything you’re uncomfortable with. You choose how much to say and how involved you want to be, and we’ll ensure your voice is respected.
Advocacy is about standing up for your rights and ensuring your voice is heard
CounsellingWe provide therapeutic support, helping individuals overcome their difficulties
WellbeingWe offer a range of services to help you take control of your health and well-being
Volunteer With UsJoin our team of dedicated volunteers who contribute their time to support our programmes
About Usn-compass has dedicated over two decades to empowering individuals and communities
Our ImpactWe measure success by the impact we have on individuals, communities, and our valued partners