The Royal Borough of Greenwich has launched a new Young Carers Support Guide, designed as a one-stop-shop to help young people who look after family members find the support they need.
The guide brings together a wide range of local organisations and services that can support young carers with everything from mental health and wellbeing, to meeting other young people in similar situations, to practical advice and activities.
A young carer is someone under 18 who helps care for a family member or friend due to illness, disability, mental health needs, or addiction.
Young carers often juggle responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, helping their relative to move around, translating or being there emotionally — all while navigating their education and personal development.
Across the Royal Borough of Greenwich there are approximately 3,000 known young carers. This number could be much higher, as many young carers don’t realise that what they do counts as caring. As a result, they can often feel unseen or unsupported and may be missing out on support that could ease their responsibilities and improve their wellbeing.
This new guide aims to change that.
Madalin, a young carer, who is also a member of our Greenwich Young People’s Council. said: “I know how challenging it can be to balance everything, between caring responsibilities, friends, school, homework and finding time for yourself. It can sometimes make you feel quite isolated. It's so important to get the right kind of support. There’s lots of information out there, but it can be tricky to navigate when it’s in many different places. This new guide is really helpful. It puts clear information and support in one place, making it easier for young carers like me to get the help we need.”
Cllr Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Post-16 Futures, said: “Young carers play such a vital role in our communities, and it’s an incredibly challenging role for a young person to take on. We know that many young carers don’t realise they are carers, and as a result, they can miss out on support that could make a real difference to their lives.
“We want to make sure every young carer has the same chances to learn and grow as their peers. To do this, it’s essential they know their rights and get the help they need.
“If you’re a young carer, this guide is for you — to help you find support and connect with others. We want to remind you that you are not alone, that it’s okay to ask for help and that support is available right now.”
The Young Carers Support Guide has been created specifically with young people in mind. It highlights:
- Local groups and charities where you can meet other young carers
- Mental health and wellbeing support services
- Advice and helplines for when you need someone to talk to
- Activities, clubs, and opportunities to take a break and have fun
By offering all this information in one place, the Council hopes to make it easier for young carers to recognise their role and access help early.
Find the guide
The Young Carers Support Guide is available now here.
More support for young carers
If you need help now or would like to know what support you can get, contact the Families Information Service by:
- phoning 020 8921 6921
- emailing FIS@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Find out more about support for young carers
Children and Young People Who Care Network
If you look after someone, you can join the Children and Young People Who Care Network to:
- get involved in support in Royal Greenwich
- hear about things that may affect you, your family or those you care for
If you are under 16, we will phone you first to talk to you about the network.
Find out more about the Children and Young People Who Care Network
Getting an assessment
Young carers have the right to an assessment to understand their needs and the support they may require. These assessments can be accessed through Children’s Services and can be used to identify what support will be required when they turn 18 and transition into adult services as young adult carers.
Young Carers can access an assessment by:
Phoning: 020 8921 3172
Emailing: mash-referrals@royalgreenwich.gov.uk