Your life

As a young carer, you may miss out on opportunities to play and spend time with your friends and classmates. You may feel isolated from your friends because:

• You don't have as much free time as them because you have to spend more time at home.
• You're often thinking about the person you look after.
• You may be worried that they will bully you.

Some young carers are afraid to ask for help to deal with this.

Taking part in social activities will help you spend more time with your friends and make new ones, as well as giving you a break from caring.

Social activities

If you spend most of your time being a carer, it can be difficult to mix with people and this may make you feel awkward. Make time to do something you enjoy, such as art, going to the cinema, going shopping with friends, or playing football or netball at your school or with a local team. You could also:

• Spend time visiting or meeting friends.
• Invite friends over to watch movies or for lunch. This may help your friends to understand your situation at home.
• Meet other carers at carers support groups.
• Chat with other carers online.

You may be able to get time off from caring or help with your responsibilities from your local authority, doctors and nurses, teachers, friends and family.