South Ayrshires Young Carers Initiative

The Princess Royal Trust

Young Carers Initiative - If you care we do

The South Ayrshire Young Carers Initiative has been established to help support Young Carers between the ages of 8-18 in South Ayrshire. Young Carers have lots of responsibility in their day to day lives because they help to provide “care” for someone living in their house e.g. a mum, dad, sister, brother or another relative. Not all Young Carers are involved on practical caring such as doing the shopping or cleaning, it may be that living with disability is affecting the Young carer’s development.

The person being cared for may have a:

• Learning disability
• Physical disability
• Illness e.g. cancer
• Mental illness
• Drug or alcohol addiction

The Young Carer may be:

• Helping out with house work
• Looking after younger brothers and sisters
• Providing emotional support or listening to worries

Young Carers may be missing out on:

• Time with friends
• Time to do homework
• Being able to attend social activities
• Being able to do things as a family

This can make some Young Carers feel upset, lonely or worried about the person they are caring for.

The Young Carers Initiative may be able to help by providing:

• Information, advice and support
• Individual and group activities, dependant on need
• Access to other resources in the community
• Drop in sessions within local secondary schools
• A chance to have some fun and meet other Young Carers

The project operates a policy of confidentiality

If you are, or know anyone who is, a Young Carer and would like further information on the project, or if you would like refer a young person to us, please contact the Centre 01292 263000 and ask for the Young Carers Worker.

E-Mail:infoyc@prtsouthcarers.org.uk