Support and advice for young carers
A young carer is someone under 18 who helps to look after a family member or someone close to them who has an illness, disability, mental health difficulty, or drug or alcohol problem.
This could mean helping with things around the home, providing emotional support, helping someone get around or managing medication. This is often alongside school, friendships and everyday life.
Young carers play a vital role in our communities. But caring for someone can sometimes feel isolating, overwhelming or exhausting.
“It’s harder than anyone understands. I feel like I’m drowning.”
The Young Carers Support App is designed to help young people find information and support when they need it.
Why this matters
There are 53,723 people providing unpaid care in North Yorkshire, according to the 2021 Census. This includes adult carers, young adult carers and young carers.
Nationally, research suggests as many as one in five children and young people may be caring for someone at home – and some may not recognise themselves as a young carer or know that support is available.
What does the app offer?
The Young Carers Support App is a free resource designed with young carers in mind.
It includes information and advice about:
- understanding what it means to be a young carer
- your rights and the support you may be entitled to
- balancing caring with school and education
- money and benefits
- looking after your health and wellbeing
- friendships and difficult feelings
- planning for the future
- finding local and national support, charities and helplines
The information is written in straightforward, age-appropriate language so young people can explore it privately and in their own time.
How to get the app
The app is free to use and you don't need to create an account.
You can download it on Apple or Android devices:
Who created the app?
The app was developed by Expert Self Care in partnership with West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and with input from organisations including Barnardo's, Caring Together, Carers' Resource and Family Action Leeds.
It has been put together with young carers and is PIF TICK accredited, which means its health information meets recognised quality standards.
Get support in North Yorkshire
You don't have to manage caring responsibilities on your own.
North Yorkshire Council has information and advice specifically for young carers, including how to find support from local young carers' services.
If caring is affecting your health, wellbeing, education or everyday life, you can also speak to your GP, school or college, or contact a local young carers' service.
