What is a young adult carer?
The “official” definition of a young adult carer is someone aged 18-25 who cares, unpaid, for someone who may be chronically ill, disabled, have a mental health condition or an addiction.
About us
As part of the Making Carers Count project, we understand how difficult it can be caring for someone while working, attending education and trying to have time for yourself too. But you are not alone; we’re here to support you!
If you’re aged 18 to 25 and provide unpaid care to a family member or friend struggling with illness, disability, addiction or mental health concerns, we want to hear from you.
We run a friendly and supportive network, which enables Young Adult Carers to socialise with others in a similar situation. We, as support coordinators, can signpost YACs to the support needed for all aspects of their caring role.
We provide
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- Two drop-in sessions per month. Refreshments and snacks provided.
- One-to-one support, including carer assessments.
- Free monthly activities.
- Support with employability and education.
All our support and social events are free, but do require registration first.
Nicolle Ormston
Prior to joining the Caring for Carers team as part of Improving Lives, Nicolle enjoyed a career in primary teaching, where she worked at several primary schools in the city. Nicolle brings many transferable skills from her time in education and is now ready to deploy them to help and support carers in Plymouth through the new Young Adult Carers project.
Anna Norton
Anna worked with young adults in education for seven years before joining the Young Adult Carers team. She likes to work with people using a holistic, hands-on approach to tailor support to the individual, and she is particularly passionate about supporting people with their mental health and improving their wellbeing.
What next?
If you would like support, reach out to our YAC team now. You can contact us to discuss your options, or just for an informal chat, or go straight to registration. There is no pressure.
Other Support
More support is also available from Plymouth City Council’s Time4U team, which brings together Plymouth City Council’s Community Youth Team and The Children’s Society to provide a joined-up service for young carers and their families.
Here, a qualified youth worker can talk with you about how your caring role affects you. This can cover your wellbeing, education, work, activities and health.
If you’re eligible, they’ll agree with you what support you need and how it will be provided.
We know how confusing this process can be. For help, reach out to the Improving Lives YAC team.
Returning to Education
It’s never too late to learn something new, so why not start today?
Once you’re out of education it can be hard to return. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to give yourself the second chance you deserve. Below we’ve outlined some useful information to help you work out what’s best for you.
College courses can still be free for adult learners, so it’s worth signing up while you can.
The qualifications employers most want to see are English and Maths. Part-time courses, in the day or the evening, are free to most adults, giving everyone the chance to reach GCSE grades 9 to 4.
Check out some key local education providers offering free courses.
