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If you're a young carer you're not alone. There are more than 175,000 young people under the age of 18 who provide unpaid care for a relative or friend. If you're a young carer aged under 18 you can get the support you need with help from Connexions.

The Connexions service provides help and advice to young carers aged between 13 and 19 on topics including:

• careers,
• learning,
• work,
• money,
• housing,
• health,
• relationships,
• your rights,
• free time, and
• travel.

Connexions also provides support for young people up to the age of 25 who have learning difficulties or disabilities.

Many of the Connexions advisers have had previous experience of working with young people and can provide advice on a range of issues. They can recommend an expert service for you to contact if you need to. Some are graduates with vocational degrees in subjects such as social work, teaching or youth work.

What do they do?

Connexions advisers work through local Connexions services to provide information, advice and practical help with issues and problems that might be affecting you at school, college, work or in your personal or family life.

You can also speak to a Connexions adviser through Connexions Direct (see below) without having to visit a Connexions service office.

Just like an adviser based in a Connexions service office, the main role of a Connexions Direct adviser is to provide young people with accurate and up-to-date information, support and guidance on a range of issues. Connexions advisers can also refer you to specialist support.

You can contact Connexions Direct in the following ways:

• By the phone and callback service. Leave a message on 0808 001 3219 with your phone number and the best time for an adviser to call you back.
• Speak to an adviser online in a one-to-one confidential session.
• Email using the Connexions online contact form.
• For simple information like telephone numbers of support organisations send a text message to 07766 413 219.
• Young people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech difficulties can use textphone. You can also contact Connexions Direct by email, text message or adviser online. The Connexions Direct textphone number is 08000 968 336.