Vale of Glamorgan Council
Cyngor Bro Morgannwg
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Young Carers

A young carer is a young person under the age of 18 that provides support and care for someone with a disability, illness, ill mental health condition, or has a dependency on drugs and or alcohol.  A young carer can provide support and care for someone they live with, which could be their parents, siblings, grandparents etc

 

Older young carers (18-25 years old) are also known as young adult carers and they may have different support needs to younger carers.

 

They may provide practical or physical care, help with personal care, and help with domestic tasks and/or emotional support.

 

Young carers face serious caring responsibilities, in addition to the daily tasks they complete for their parents such as housework, cooking and bathing, they live with the added pressure of school and, often, a lack of understanding from schoolmates.

 

How many young carers are there?

"The 2021 Census said there were approximately 120,000 young carers, aged between 5 and 17 years, in England and 8,200 in Wales.

 

This is widely believed to be the tip of the iceberg because of a small number of young carers being identified. Some estimates suggesting that as many as one in five schoolchildren are young carers with this number increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic." (source Carers Trust).

 

Carer's Assessment

Young carers can request an assessment, an assessment gives you a chance to talk to someone about what support might make caring easier.

 

Young Carer Assessment

 

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Vale Young Carers Project                                  

The young carers project in the Vale of Glamorgan is run by YMCA Cardiff and is funded by Vale of Glamorgan Council.

 

This Project will be providing regular respite activities to young carers in the Vale, aged 7 – 18, giving them an opportunity to socialise, make friends and have fun!

 

The Young Carers Youth Club at the YMCA Hub, Court Road, Barry, CF63 4EE, is open is open every Thursday & Friday evening during term time.

 

The ages are divided across the two days, with the juniors’ (primary school age) club taking place every Thursday from 4pm – 5:30pm during term time

and the seniors’ (comprehensive school age) club taking place every Friday from 4pm – 5:30pm during term time.

 

This club is only for young people who have been accepted onto the Project. Please contact the Families First Advice Line to make a referral 

The YCID or Young Carers ID card

YMCA Cardiff in partnership with Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan local authorities, are supporting the Welsh Government funded ID card scheme to help young carers in Wales to be identified, feel validated and receive the support they deserve.

 

The YCID, or Young Carers ID card, is a simple card to help professionals including doctors, teachers and pharmacists to recognise them and support them appropriately.  All young carers are able to apply for a card through YMCA Cardiff, to do so please visit  YMCA Cardiff.

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