Information for Young Adult Carers
“It’s hard sometimes to know what information you are actually looking for. Speaking with a Young Adult Carers Support worker helped me to work out where I needed support and what information was available to me.”
For advice, information and support, please call 020 8867 2380 or email us at info@richmondcarers.org
Listed below are links to sources of useful information for Young Adult Carers. Some of these are directly related to caring, others relating to education, employment and socialising.
Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.
The Family Fund is a charity that provides grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.
The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk anytime you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. 24 hr freephone, 365 days a year.
Eating disorders can affect people from all backgrounds. They don’t just affect the individual battling them but their friends, families, work colleagues and other people around them too.
Off the Record offers information, counselling and a sexual health clinic. You can speak to them over the phone or drop in to their office in Church Street, Twickenham. You can use these confidential services FREE if you are aged 11 to 24 and live, study, or work in Richmond borough. Off the Record also offers support to parents and carers. They may ask a donation for counselling if you work and are over 18.
UNFM provides information, inspiration and advice for young ambitious people exploring the alternatives to university. We follow the successful lives and careers of other young professionals who #diditwithoutadegree to help inspire you and make an informed decision. The website has a full list of alternative options, as well as an advice section and forum.
The Mix provides free confidential advice and support for anyone under 25. Contact by phone, email, text or webchat. They will discuss your situation (you need only say as much as you feel comfortable saying), what kind of support you would like and how (e.g. by phone), options available to you and how you would like to proceed with any further help.
The Crossway Pregnancy Crisis Centre is a free and confidential service, supporting women and their partners when they are facing an unplanned pregnancy, or dealing with a pregnancy loss, whether through termination, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, preterm loss or stillbirth. They have a team of trained listeners, available to provide you with confidential, unbiased support.
The Richmond Wellbeing service offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist support to help you feel better. You must be 18 years+ and live in Richmond or be registered with a Richmond-based GP to be eligible.
If you are providing unpaid care to a family member, partner or friend, you may be able to receive extra support during your studies. This could include financial help, such as a bursary, support with managing your workload/deadlines, or help with your own health and wellbeing.
For help with housing issues such as applying for housing benefit or social housing you can contact Richmond Council for an appointment with a housing officer. Further information and application forms are available on their website.
Grace Advocacy offers services to help vulnerable adults struggling with multiple and/or complex problems to stabilise their financial affairs. They offer support with money, debt, benefits, housing, Adult Social Care and NHS health care.
LGBT+ Service information
Please remember you can also contact Richmond Carers Centre for support as an LGBT+ carer. Our Adult and Young Carers Support workers have training and experience in supporting carers who identify as LGBT+.
Young Stonewall campaigns for acceptance without exception for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across the UK, working to empower LGBT people to be their authentic selves, enabling them to realise and achieve their full potential, and to create positive change.
Mermaids is an LGBTQ+ charity empowering gender-diverse kids, young people and their families through secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources, events and residential weekends.
Wandsworth Carers Centre offers one to one support and advocacy to LGBT+ Carers around accessing support for themselves or the person they are caring for. It is also working to raise awareness of LGBT+ carers and runs information sessions for carers and professionals.