For some, looking after someone or being a young carer is just a bit of their lives and doesn’t last forever.
But for a lot of young carers, caring is something they carry on doing for a long time. So what changes? And maybe you’re wondering what’s out there for you when you get older.
Caring During Teenage Years
Being a young carer can be hard enough, let alone when you hit your teenage years. With all the difficult but exciting things being a teenager can bring, like new relationships and friends, GCSEs, college, body image, figuring out who you are and more – all of this on top of caring can be a lot to deal with.
Being in the teenager stage means you might be more focused on the future. At school you might be hearing teachers talk about college and what’s out there for you after school, and suddenly, it can feel like you’re not a child anymore at all.
Your caring role might also change as you do, it might become less about helping with physical things and more about emotional support, or it might be that you care for more than just one person now, meaning a lot more things for you to do.
What is out there for me when I grow up?
Don’t worry – as you transition from being a young carer to a young adult carer (young adult carers are carers from the ages of 16-25), there is still support, advice and activities you can get involved with as you grow up and remain caring.
We understand that growing up whilst caring can create a lot of challenges, especially about your future. This is where YACbook is a website, resource centre, online community with in person cafes and activities just for young adult carers. YACbook (the YAC stands for young adult carer!) can be accessed by everyone, even if you’re not quite in the age group yet and just want to know what’s out there for you, and has lots of great information and advice for the struggles, challenges and exciting events that you might be dealing with growing up and caring.
Looking to the Future
We’re here for you as your caring role changes and grows as you do. You are never alone throughout your caring journey.
Meet our Young Carer Coordinator
Hi, I’m Sarah and I’m the new Young Carer Coordinator for Carer Support Dorset! I have recently moved to Dorset from Sheffield to move in with my partner Caitlin. Here is a photo of us on holiday in the Lake District. I like to spend my free time going on walks in the countryside, meeting up with friends and reading. I’m looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible whether that be virtually or face to face, and working to increase the support and awareness for Young Carers across Dorset.
