Young Carers Project

Girls drawing and doing puzzles

'A young carer is a child or young person between the age of 6-18 who takes on a significant caring responsibility for a parent or sibling with a mental illness, physical disability or substance misuse.'

About the project

Set up in 1997 originally as a pilot scheme, the Cheshire Young Carers Project has grown to support 150 young people and is the only dedicated service for young carers in West Cheshire.

The project provides guidance, support and respite for young people, aged between 6-18 years, who undertake significant caring responsibilities within the home. Typically, these young people are responsible for a parent or sibling who has a physical disability, mental illness or misuses substances.

Creating opportunities

The young people who access the project are often disadvantaged educationally and socially, and lack opportunities for personal development. The service aims to be the difference by enabling them to achieve in these areas, despite the difficulties and complexities that their caring role often brings.

Established community presence

St John Ambulance Cheshire Young Carers is a well established charity in the heart of the local community and accesses support from organisations and trusts. We also work in partnership with the local authority, health promotion teams in local hospitals, community groups, local schools and universities, and businesses within the community.

Voluntary support

The project could not provide the service it does without the valued support of its volunteers. We currently have approximately 40 volunteers supporting the project bringing with them new skills, ideas and knowledge. Volunteers utilise their skills either working with young people at weekly sessions, helping to run special projects, attending residentials or supporting with administration.

Positive impact

The project has grown tremendously over the past two years and has been a great success in developing young carers and volunteers. As a result it has had a huge positive impact on the community.