Support and information is offered to young people who care for, or help to care for, someone in their family. This could be a parent, brother, sister or grandparent. The person, who is being cared for, may be ill or have a disability. A young person who has a caring responsibility helps regularly and may have done for a long period of time.

Preston Young Carers Project currently supports over 50 young carers, although based on national statistics we would expect there to be 130 young carers in Preston.

• The youngest young carer in the Preston scheme is seven years old
• Most of the young carers care for their mother - where there is no other adult in the household
• Approximately 50% care for someone physically disabled with the remainder mental health, learning disability and alcohol abuse
• Currently we have no young carers caring for people with drug problems as Drugline Lancashire provide this service. However, young carers can also join our scheme if they wish

The Young Carers Support Officer can help with any questions or concerns; they can talk to teachers, social workers or parents on behalf of the young carer. This may help to get extra services into the family so that things are made a little easier. The Young Carers Support Officer will only talk to the relevant people with the permission of the young carer.

We provide a variety of activities so that young carers can have a break from their caring duties and meet other young carers. Activities have included trips to Blackpool Zoo and animal farms , Camelot, Mega Bowl - Zap Zone, Bowling and Pool and the cinema. Most of these activities included a visit to McDonalds.

For further information on all support and activities contact the Preston Carers Centre, or take a look at our Young Carers newsletters

Young Carers can visit www.youngcarers.net for advice and support specifically created for their needs.