Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) for young carers and young adult carers

Find out where you can get information on looking after yourself and the person you care for during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation if you are a young carer or young adult carer.

Looking after yourself

Your local carer service

Contact your local carer service for support for carers using the search box below. However, not all local carer services provide specific support for young carers. 

The Mix

The Mix provides free confidential support to young people under 25. Its website has information about your rights and how to look after yourself during Coronavirus, and specific information for young carers and young adult carers. It also has a crisis messenger service, a helpline and online 1-2-1 chat if you need to talk to someone.

YoungMinds

YoungMinds is a charity focusing on children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The website can help you if you are struggling with your mental health, and has specific blogs to help you to cope with the Coronavirus situation.

YACbook – it’s okay not to be okay- tips for being kind to yourself during lockdown

YACbook is an online community and resource space for and led by young adult carers. A young adult carer has written up their tips for coping in the current situation.

Honeypot 

Honeypot is a children’s charity that has compiled a list of tips for children and young people who are isolating at home.

Coronavirus – protecting your mental wellbeing

Carers UK has put together a list of ideas about how carers can help look after their own mental health and wellbeing during Coronavirus.

Young Scot

Young Scot’s website has lots of clear information and advice for young people about Coronavirus and how to cope in the current situation.

Childline

Childline’s website has information and tips to help you to cope with the Coronavirus situation. You can also call the helpline on 0800 1111.

Samaritans

If you’re a young adult carer who is worried about your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak, the Samaritans' website has advice for adults struggling with the Coronavirus outbreak. You can also call the support line at any time on 116123.

Looking after the person you care for

Carers UK – Coronavirus guidance

Carers UK has provided some information about providing care to the person you support at the moment, including what the limits on going outside and getting close to others mean for those who provide care.

Carers UK – further support

Carers UK has put together a list of answers to questions you might have about caring at this time.

GOV.UK – Get Coronavirus support as a clinically vulnerable person

If you have a medical condition which makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), you can register for support, or on behalf of someone else on the Gov.UK website. This service is available in England. See the webpage for separate guidance in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Information if you are supporting someone with a specific condition

You might have questions about how Coronavirus affects people with particular health conditions. Charities supporting people with particular health conditions have created helpful answers to these questions. Here are some examples.

British Heart Foundation

Coronavirus information for those affected by a heart condition. 

British Lung Foundation

Coronavirus information for those affected by lung conditions, with details of the helpline available at the bottom of the page.

Diabetes UK

Coronavirus information for those with Diabetes. 

Macmillan Cancer Support

Coronavirus advice for those affected by cancer, and details of other ways to contact Macmillan.

Mencap

Coronavirus information for people with learning disabilities and their families.

Motor Neurone Disease Assocation

Coronavirus information for people with motor neurone disease (MND) and their families.

MS Society

Coronavirus information for those affected by Multiple Sclerosis. There is also a dedicated helpline and online messenger advice service.

National Autistic Society

Coronavirus information for those affected by autism.

Parkinson’s UK

Coronavirus information for those affected by Parkinson’s Disease.

Rethink Mental Illness

Coronavirus information for those affected by mental health issues.

Date revised: 03/06/2020