Swindon Carers Centre

SWINDON YOUNG CARERS

WHO ARE YOUNG CARERS?

Young Carers are children and young people, up to the age of 18, whose lives are affected by looking after someone. This may include physical or learning disabilities, long term illness, mental health problems, or misuse of drugs or alcohol. This may be a parent, brother, sister or other family member.

The care they give maybe physical and/or emotional.

These responsibilities may include:

• Personal care
• Housework
• Lifting
• Shopping
• Giving Medication
• Looking after brothers or sisters
• Cheering them up
• Helping fill in forms
• Reminding them to do things

WHAT CAN SWINDON YOUNG CARERS OFFER?

A Young Carers Assessment
Every young carer has the right to an assessment of their needs. This will be completed by a Young Carers Support Worker and will help find the best services for the young carer. This normally takes about one hour and a Support Worker can meet in the young carers own home or arrange an appointment at the Swindon Carers Centre.

Once the assessment has been carried out, the Young Carers Support Worker will offer a number of choices that may include the following:

• telephone, text or e-mail support
• time out, away from home with a Young Carers Support Worker
• activities in small groups during school holidays
• short breaks and residentials
• weekly/fortnightly groups mixing with other young carers of the same age. These groups are run by Swindon Borough Youth Service
• to be part of the Young Carers Forum
• referral to other projects or groups
• possible funding for activities

OUR AIMS

Swindon Young Carers aim to promote and safeguard the rights of all young carers by providing support, information and breaks from their caring responsibilities.

This is achieved by joint work between Swindon Carers Centre, Swindon Borough Council's, Youth Service and Social Services, Swindon Primary Care Trust and Friends of Young Carers (Swindon).

WHAT OTHER YOUNG CARERS HAVE TOLD US

"I never thought that there could be so many young carers." (aged 15)

"Coming to Young Carers gives me a chance to make new friends and have fun." (aged 12)

"Going out with the Young Carers Support Worker on my own gives me the chance to talk about how I feel about things." (aged 16)

"I like having fun and not having to worry about things at home for a while." (aged 8)

Contact: For more information, please contact the Young Carer Support Workers at:
Swindon Carers Centre
1 Wood Street
Swindon SN1 4AN

Telephone: 01793 531133
Fax: 01793 533530
Email: carers@prtc-swindon.org