Help for you
Effects of Caring
- Are you stressed out?
- Are you struggling with school?
- I'm being bullied - what can I do?
- My back hurts! - Looking after yourself
- Want to stay on at school but can't afford it - help available
Are you stressed out?
I'm feeling stressed out from looking after my family
Looking after someone can be tiring, stressful, lonely and frustrating for an adult let alone a young person.
You may feel powerless and that there is no one there to care for you! If you feel this way, ask for help. Talk to your parents about how you feel. If you don't feel you can talk to them, talk to another adult member of your family you get on with or an adult at school who you trust.
Unless someone knows how you feel, they can't do anything to help. If you feel there isn't an adult around that you can tell you feel, talk to Childline (0800 1111). They can support you and advise you where to get help.
You can also chat on Youngcarers.net, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers Young Carers site, for advice and support. Don't suffer in silence!!
If you wish, you can get a Carer's Assessment.
You can also get local help and support here.
Are you struggling with school?
Getting Support at School
"I don't have time to do my homework...I just can't keep up at school"
Sometimes you may find it difficult to do homework or coursework, or to do revision for exams because of all the caring tasks you are doing.
It is really important that you talk to your school and let them know what is happening at home. You could ask your parent/s to talk to the school, or talk to a teacher or member of staff that you get on well with and ask them for help with your schoolwork and deadlines. You may also want to ask to talk to the school counsellor. This will be a confidential meeting.
"I can't go to school today, I'm worried about leaving Mum on her own"
Sometimes you may feel that you cannot leave the person who is ill on their own so you can go to school.
It is very important that you talk to someone if this is happening. Try talking to your GP or another adult that you trust.
It may be that the person you look after could get more help from your local Social Services so you won't have to worry so much about leaving them or doing so much for them, or you could contact your local Young Carer worker.
I'm being bullied - what can I do?
"I get bullied at school, no one understands what it's like for me"
If you feel you are being bullied at school, it is very important that you talk to a teacher or school counsellor to get help. No one should feel they have to put up with bullies. If you can't speak to a teacher, try contacting Kidscape for help; you could also ring Childine (0800 1111), the Samaritans or the Bullying Online website.
