This is a NEW service in Solihull created to acknowledge and support Young Adult Carers.
Who do we help?
As more information and support becomes available for older and younger cares, a very ‘hidden’ group of carers in society is emerging – cares aged between 18 and 24. These are known as Young Adult Carers, however, Solihull Carers Centre extends this service up to the age of 30.
In the transition from children’s to adult services, many carers can be lost at this often confusing time, when there are changes all around. Decisions are being made about future directions – whether to carry on to further/higher education, to work full time or part time or to leave home and gain independence. On top of all these decisions, a Young Adult Carer will be thinking about how to manage their caring tasks and responsibilities that may well have increased.
There are over 500 people aged between 18 and 24 living in Solihull who are caring for someone and over a fifth of those are providing 20 hours or more care per week.
How can we help?
We offer free and confidential information and advice, helping and supporting young adult carers to make a successful transition into adult life, including:
- 1:1 support - emotional support and someone to talk to
- Peer support – meet as a group and help to support each other
- Education, training and employment – support identifying and accessing your future goals and aspirations
- Advocacy and empowerment – helping to get your voice heard and take control of your life
- Finances – information and signposting for relevant assessments
- Social activities
- Information about your rights as a carer
- Training, such as First Aid and confidence building
- Self help
- Support for future planning
- Signposting to relevant services
If you think you may be a Young Adult Carer, or know someone who is, or if you would like to find out more about services in Solihull available for Young Adult Carers, please contact Cathy Cook, either
By phone at Solihull Carers Centre on 0121 788 1143
Email at cathycook@solihullcarers.org, or
Can you help us?
Focus Group
We are looking for Young Adult Carers, or former Young Adult Carers, to join our Focus Group, which meets once a quarter, to provide input into our service development. If you are interested, please contact Cathy.
Find us a better name
Young Adult Carers currently goes under the name of YAC, but we are certainly not a wild shaggy haired mountain cow! Cathy would really appreciate any suggestions you have for a better name.