Young carers

Caring can bring your family closer together, help you to realise what's important in life and help you to develop all kinds of skills and strengths. However, being a carer can also be a big challenge for anyone. If you’re a young carer, it can be even harder.

You are probably very busy if you’re a carer, but it’s worth taking a bit of time to find out what kind of help and support may be available in your area.

Using whatever help is there can make things easier for you. For example, you may be able to get:

• Some help at home, so there’s less for you to do.
• A break from your caring.
• Extra time to do your school work or college assignments.
• Information on managing money.
• Advice about benefits you may be entitled to, including carer allowances and study grants/bursaries.
• Support with finding a job or managing your work and caring.
• Counselling to help you cope with your feelings and manage better.

How can I find out about help and support?

• Family Carers Ireland has a dedicated Young Carer Support Manager who you can contact in confidence. To make contact or find out more, call Family Carers Ireland's Careline on Freephone 1800 24 07 24 or email youngcarers@familycarers.ie
• Ask your teacher or another trusted adult to help you to find out about any services that can help you.
• If you’re in college, make contact with the Access Service for social, academic and financial support.
• Call our cancer nurses on Freephone 1800 200 700 or email supportline@irishcancer.ie

Talking about how you’re feeling – with a friend or family member or someone like a counsellor – can be a great relief and may help you to feel better.

You could also make contact with other young carers – people going through a similar experience who understand how you feel. You could make contact online or through support organisations or support groups.

For information on counselling

• Visit Family Carers Ireland
• Contact our Support Line for more information on free counselling by phone, online and at local cancer support centres. Call 1800 200 700 or email the nurses at supportline@irishcancer.ie
• Ask to talk to the school guidance counsellorMeet regularly with the student counsellor/access service if you’re in college

Irish Cancer Society cancer nurses

You can talk to one of our cancer nurses in confidence if you have any worries or questions or if you need help getting support. You can call us on Freephone 1800 200 700 or email us on supportline@irishcancer.ie

There are also Daffodil Centres in some hospitals, where you can talk to a cancer nurse about anything at all, or pick up booklets with information about cancer. For more information or to find out the location of your nearest Daffodil Centre, call 1800 200 700.