BARNARDO'S YOUNG CARERS

The Barnsley Young Carers Service is for children and young people aged 5 to 17 that live in the Barnsley area and are caring for a member of their household. The person being cared for may be ill, have a disability or medical condition, be experiencing mental ill health or misusing alcohol and/or drugs. The Service also supports children and young people with siblings that have an illness, disability or medical condition that they may not be caring for but is impacting their life in some way.

Examples of tasks Young Carers undertake includes
- Personal/intimate care: giving medication, changing dressings, assisting with mobility, washing, dressing, assisting with toilet requirements.
- Emotional support: monitoring and meeting the emotional needs of the person.
- Organisational tasks: ordering/collecting prescriptions, contacting agencies e.g. housing, maintenance, benefits etc.
- Household chores: including washing, cooking and cleaning on behalf of the whole family, household administration including paying bills.
- Childcare: helping to care for younger siblings, including escorting to and from school, in addition to other caring tasks
- Other: acting as an interpreter at medical appointments for a family member who has communication impairments or whose first language is not English.

These caring responsibilities will be impacting their lives socially, educationally, practically and/or emotionally.

We can offer one to one sessions that are led by the child's individual needs and group work sessions that are interactive and bring together other young carers and siblings to offer peer support. We can offer support in emotional wellbeing, coping strategies and self- care. All of our sessions take place in a safe space and environment that is suited to the young people.