Coronavirus update:

We're continuing to support our registered young carers as best we possibly can and and provide one to one support via our keyworkers.  We are also holding regular Facebook drop in chats, house party meetings and also offer a Facebook messenger service. In addition, our registered young carers are able to contact us whenever they would like support, or someone to talk to, via email [email protected] - a member of the team will then return the email and/or call back as soon as possible. This email is being checked regularly throughout the day. If you have an urgent issue, please call Jon Cawdron on 07717 766152.

Safeguarding: YSS is committed to ensuring that children, young people and adults at risk who come into contact with YSS staff and volunteers are treated with respect, and are free from all forms of abuse or mistreatment. We have comprehensive safeguarding policies which are reviewed annually. The designated member of staff responsible for safeguarding is David Andrewartha, Operations Director, [email protected]

The most recent Safeguarding policy is available to read and download, here. 

Shropshire young carers

We also help support young carers in Shropshire, through Crossroads Together. If you're a young carer living in Shropshire, or know of a young carer in the county, please get in touch:

Tel: 07801 576326

Facebook: search “Crossroads Together – Young Carers” and click on the Shropshire Young Carers link. 

What is Worcestershire Young Carers?

Worcestershire Young Carers is commissioned by Worcestershire County Council to provide assessment, signposting, one to one support and monthly youth clubs for young people with a caring role at home, aged between seven and 17, who live in Worcestershire - we also support young adult carers aged between 18 and 25. The caring role could be for a parent, a sibling or a grandparent due to illness, disability, physical or mental health difficulties or substance misuse.

The service is also funded by BBC Children in Need to deliver a Participation Group, which focuses on highlighting the needs of young carers, and helps get their voices heard by organisations and services that affect them. This has been running since 2013.

Thanks to generous private donors, YSS also employs an Education Link Worker who works in partnership with schools and colleges throughout the county to raise awareness and improve identification and support of young carers, ensuring they are safe, healthy, aspiring and achieving.  

Finally, Worcestershire Young Carers delivers a 'Young Carer Ambassador Programme', funded by #iwill2018. The project offers up to 60 10-18 year old young carers a place on one of four performing arts workshops held throughout the year, focusing on improving communication, public speaking and presentation skills, and ultimately supporting young people to develop the skills that employers look for. The project also aims to encourage a significant number of young people to become Young Carer Ambassadors following involvement in one of the workshops. This role will see them co-deliver assemblies at their schools alongside the Worcestershire Young Carers Education Link Worker, and will provide the opportunity to share their story with other young people whilst practicing the skills they have learned in public speaking, presentation and communication. 

We also deliver a wide range of trips and activities during school holidays to ensure young carers enjoy a break from their caring responsibilities, and provide opportunities they would not otherwise have access to. These additional activities are only made possible thanks to donations from members of the public, as well as fundraising from individuals, groups, clubs, schools and businesses.  

Want to get involved?

Donate

We currently work with more than 400 young carers from across Worcestershire but we know this is just the tip of the iceberg. We want to support as many young carers as possible and you can help us do that. Please donate to support our clubs and activities which, for many, provide the rare opportunity to experience new things, socialise and have fun away from their caring roles. Click here to donate. 

Become a Worcestershire Young Carers Volunteer  

 Apply to become a YSS Worcestershire Young Carers volunteer today by downloading the forms below. Once completed, please email to Volunteer Coordinator Laura Evans: [email protected]. 

Worcestershire Young Carers volunteer role description

YSS Volunteer Application Form

YSS Safeguarding Declaration Form 

YSS Equal Opportunities Form

Privacy Notice

Find out more

Click the links below to read about the work Worcestershire Young Carers delivers:

Support for Young Carers

Support for Young Adult Carers

Education Link Project

BBC Children in Need Participation Group