The Sheffield Young Carers Project is here to help children and young people aged between 8 and 21 who help look after someone at home. The person they care for is either disabled, ill, has mental health problems or has a problem caused by drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

Why have a young carers project?

• We are here to help young carers who may be finding it hard to do what other children and young people take for granted.

• Many young carers aren’t getting any help at all and are having a difficult time. This is often because:

o No one knows what’s going on.
o Young people don’t want to ask for help.
o Sometimes parents don’t want to ask for help.

The project aims to:

• Support young people who are caring for someone who have an illness, disability, mental health or drug/alcohol problem.

• Increase the opportunities (social, leisure, educational and employment) available to young carers who are restricted by their role.

• Advocate the rights and needs of young people who are carers.

• Build partnerships in order to develop a coordinated response to the needs of young carers.

The project has a management committee drawn from a wide range of statutory and voluntary organisations. It is staffed by a coordinator, project workers, an administrator and a seasonal careers advisor.

We welcome enquirers from anyone about the project including children and young people, families and agencies. The kind of support available to any individual will depend on their situation and the number of young people the project is supporting at any one time. We always try to provide as much support as our resources will allow.