HYYAC CIC

Welcome to Herefordshire Young and Young Adult Carers CIC

Young Carers are children and young people up to the age of 18 who help to look after a family member with an illness, disability or addiction to drugs or alcohol. Young people aged between 16 and 24 in a caring role are Young Adult Carers.

Young Carers often take on a lot of adult responsibilities that their friends and classmates don’t. For example:

• • Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping.
  • Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed.
  • Emotional support, such as talking to someone who is distressed.
  • Personal care, such as helping someone dress.
  • Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions.
  • Helping to give medicine.
  • Helping someone communicate.
  • Looking after brothers and sisters.

The Impact of Caring

Caring for a loved one can be very rewarding but it can also have an impact on a young person’s education and social life. It can be hard to juggle homework, seeing friends or taking part in after-school activities with caring responsibilities.  Young Adult Carers can find trying to manage further education, work, relationships and their caring role very difficult. Many Young Carers can feel stressed or anxious, they may feel isolated and unable to access the same opportunities as other people their age. Nearly a quarter of Young Carers report being bullied because of their caring role.

Facts and Figures

• It is estimated that there are up to 4000 Young Carers in Herefordshire
• Research indicates that 1 in 12 young people in UK secondary schools are either impacted by family ill health or carry a caring responsibility
• In a recent survey 39% of Young Carers said no one at their school was aware of their caring role
• The average age of a Young Carer is 12
• The 2011 census identified more than 375,000 young adult carers in the UK, but this is believed to be a huge underestimate of the true numbers as many young adults hide their caring role or do not identify themselves as carers.
• Caring can affect a young person’s health, social life and self confidence – over 45% reported a mental health problem.
• 29% of Young Adult Carers had dropped out of college/university because of their caring role. This is four times greater than the national average for degree courses

HYYAC supports Young and Young Adult Carers and enables them to access opportunities to meet others in a similar situations and have a break from their caring role.

We have a face to face group that meets in Hereford, plus we also offer virtual clubs online. We are available to give support, advice and information via phone, text, email or messaging. Take a look at our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter or Instagram for regular updates .

Parents and Carers, please download our Online Safety Agreement

About HYYAC

Herefordshire Young and Young Adult Carers CIC provides support and respite for children and young adults who are caring for a family member with an illness, disability, mental health issue or problem with drugs or alcohol.

We are a Community Interest Company which means we are a not-for-profit social enterprise. Our current service has been made possible through funding from Herefordshire Community Foundation with a small grant from the High Sheriff Fund, a grant from the Sir John Middlemore Trust, National Lottery Awards for All and donations from St Johns Methodist Church and the general public.  If you would like to help fund us, please visit our Crowdfunder here:  https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/herefordshire-young-and-young-adult-carers

We run Young Carer clubs in different locations in the county, once a fortnight during term times. These clubs are a great way for Young Carers to meet others experiencing similar situations to their own and make new friends. They can access advice and information from our experienced staff, benefit from one to one support and take part in a variety of activities, games and workshops.

Clubs reduce social isolation, increase confidence and social skills, as well as providing a much-needed break from their caring role and the opportunity to simply be a child for a few hours and have fun. All of which helps Young Carers to build their resilience and achieve their aspirations.

We also provide confidential advice and support for Young Adults, aged 16 to 24,  in a caring role. We hold regular meetings so that people in similar situations can have a break from their caring responsibilities, find help and support, have fun and make new friends. To find out more just get in touch!

Trips and Outings

Young Carer clubs do not run during school holidays (but Young Adult Carer groups continue to meet regularly throughout the year). Instead we offer opportunities to take part in day trips and outings. We tailor our trips to cater for a wide range of interests and abilities so our Young  and Young Adult Carers can always find something that appeals.

Testimonials

What parents say:

“I think the sessions helped him realise he’s not alone and there are people looking out for him as an individual.”

“I think what you (and others like you at Young Carer’s) do, is amazing. I can see you put your heart and soul into making the young ones happy and safe”

What professionals say:

“I know that the children need and get so much from this support.”

“The peer support offered through these clubs and the team at Herefordshire Young Carers help our Young Carers to feel they are not alone and offers them time for themselves.”

What Young Carers say:

“It’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. I’m really happy now.”

“[Club is] our second home, a place where we feel safe and understood. A place where we all get a say and have the freedom to speak out and be ourselves.  I come here excited to learn new things and have a go at new experiences.”

“The one place we can talk about our feelings and be properly understood.”

Information for use offline

You can download our leaflets here:

HYYAC Leaflet

Young and Young Adult Carers Groups Leaflet

If you’d like to find out more about how we support Young and Young Adult Carers or would like to access our clubs or outings please get in touch by phone or email or fill in our contact form below.

Mobile: 07484 245128

Email: HYYACinfo@gmail.com