We provide a free service to anyone aged 5 to 17 who cares for someone living in Gateshead. Our offer to young carers includes;
- Help, advice and support from our team
- Young Carer ID card and identification letters
- Secondary school drop-in sessions
- Young Carer Wellbeing Fund
Help, advice and support from our team
Being a young carer for someone can be a stressful for most young people and brings with it lots of questions. Our young carers team are here to give advice to young carers and their families, and connect them to local support services.
Young Carer ID card and identification letters
When you register as a young carer with us, we can provide you with a young carers ID card. The card helps raise awareness of young carers and lets people such as doctors and teachers know about their caring responsibilities and gives young carers more confidence to ask for help.
We can also send a letter to your GP identifying you as a young carer. By doing so, they can update your patient record and may be able to offer benefits such as flexible appointment times and referrals for specialist support.
Secondary School Drop-in Sessions
We run lunchtime drop-in sessions for young carer in the following secondary schools across Gateshead. At these sessions we catch up with the young carers, complete activities and talk about anything you need to.
Young Carer Wellbeing Fund
As part of our support offer, young carers can apply for The Young Carer Wellbeing Fund if they meet certain eligibility criteria. This is intended to enhance and support a young carer’s life outside of their caring role, reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
How do I register with the Young Carers service?
You can access our services by filling out our online registration form on our website. This should be done by an adult.
What happens when I register as a young carer?
If you believe that you are a young carer and choose to register with us, we will arrange to have a conversation with you about how your caring role affects you.
We understand that juggling school and caring at home can mean you do not have very much time for yourself. When we meet you, we will try our best to find a place and time that suits you. This could include our team meeting you at your school or home if you would like that.
Once registered with us, you will be able to access our support.