Carers Trust — The Co-operative Charity of the Year 2013

About Time for Young Adult Carers

We are proud that The Co-operative has chosen Carers Trust as its 2013 Charity of the Year.

Our programme of work with one of the country’s best-loved and trusted UK retailers is all about supporting young adult carers, aged 14 - 25, across the UK.

Research* has revealed that young adult carers are more than twice as likely as their peers not to be in education, employment or training and many have not taken a break of more than two days since they started caring.

Together, we aim to raise awareness of the challenges faced by this group, the time dedicated to helping loved ones, and help provide them with the support needed to fulfil their own ambitions.

Why young adult carers? Watch Shannon's story

Our funded projects

The theme of our partnership is “About time” and the projects that are being supported by The Cooperative staff and members fundraising efforts are detailed below.

Time to change
50 new projects will be set up across the UK, offering support and services in areas such as education, training, careers and health. This will help young adult carers stay on in school and aspire to a brighter future.

Time to connect
Online support will enable young adult carers to seek advice on a range of issues, and connect with others in their situation so that they feel less isolated.

Time out
Respite breaks will give young adult carers breathing space to focus on themselves and their ambitions and help them put their own physical and mental health first.

Time to be heard
A programme of events will give young adult carers the chance to talk directly with opinion formers and policy makers to bring about lasting change for carers.

Time to be noticed
A national campaign will help to raise awareness of carers so that they can get the support and recognition they deserve.

Are you a young adult carer?

If you are 14-25 years-old, caring for a loved one and seeking advice, support or to connet with others in your position, you can find support in your area via our local carers' services map. Alternatively you can sign up to our carers forum to chat online with other carers.

You can also help us to raise awareness of the reality of life as a young adult carer, by blogging about your experiences. If you are interested in sharing your story, email us at: web@carers.org for more information.

We will keep this page updated with more information in case you wish to become involved in other activitites and projects as they develop.

Time to Care

Throughout the year, The Co-operative’s 100,000 staff will be running fundraising activities and setting up events.With your help, young adult carers can be given the time to just enjoy being young as well as accessing the support and advice they desperately need.

Stay updated on the progress and latest news on About Time projects and fundraising activities by visiting our Co-op news page,following Carers Trust on Twitter and Facebook or visiting The Co-operative Charity of the Year web pages