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Writer's pictureHealthwatch Somerset
Oct 153 min read

Are you a young person under 18 who provides regular care and support to a family member?

Updated: Oct 18

Tell us about information available to you, and you could be entered into a draw for a £35.00 Amazon gift voucher.

Cartoon image of a young person in a superhero cape holding a plate. It looks like the young person has eight arms and their is a child holding onto their leg. The words in the graphic say: "Not even a superhero can do what a young carer does! What does a Young Carer superhero look like? Needs eight hands. An ability to get lots of things done quickly. Nurturing. They know even before they even go in the house what they need to do. Carer senses. Super organised. Wisdom."
Graphic kindly provided by Somerset Council YMCA Dulverton Young Carers Group

We want to know what young caregivers think about the information they have received or discovered and if it is helpful for them.


Qualifying entries will be put in into a draw, and two entries will each receive a £35.00 Amazon gift voucher.



  • A young carer is under 18 years old and helps take care of a family member or friend who is dealing with health problems, whether those are physical or mental.

  • They might also take care of younger siblings, older relatives, or anyone in their family who needs help.

  • There are an estimated one million young carers across the UK looking after a family member with a disability, illness or mental health problem - some as young as five years old.

Why your story is important


Image of poster that says "Are you under 18? Do you help to look after a family member? Tell us your story about the help and information available to you to help young carers needs be understood. Your stories will guide health and care providers to better understand your needs. Call free: 0800 999 1286. Email: info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk Entries will go into a draw, for a £35 Amazon gift voucher. Terms and conditions apply.. At the bottom of the poster is an image of a young boy and girl either side of a young girl with Down's Syndrome who has her arms resting on the young people's shoulders. They are all smiling.

Personal experiences are powerful stories and have big impacts on service providers which can help make positive changes.


Stories are experiences and do not have to be long; we make them anonymous so we will not use your name unless you give us permission.


Have questions? Call us free!

  • You can share your experience over the phone.

Freephone: 0800 999 1286

Tell us your story online.




Print out our story form and send it by post.

  • Our postal address is on the form



Michelle Palmer, Project Co-ordinator for Young Carers in Schools Project Somerset, said:
"Young carers can be difficult to identify and through the work being done in schools with the Young Carers in Schools Award, we are increasing our ability to identify and support this often overlooked group of vulnerable young people. That's why this programme is so important.
Logo for Young Carers in School: White wording on a dark blue roller paint image. The word 'In' is on a gold coloured arrow that sits on the blue background.
In Somserset there are currently 493 registered young carers; statistically we know that there are likely many more. National figures show that there could be up to one young carer in every five secondary aged pupils."

Support and information


CCS Somerset Carers service Advice Line: 0800 31 68 600

Somerset Council

Carers UK

Carers Trust 

The Children's Society

Mobilise

NHS England

 

Voucher draw terms and conditions:

  • Qualifying entries must meet the following conditions:

    • Entrants must be young carers in Somerset under the age of 18 years who help to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem.

    • The consent section of this form must be completed.

    • Entrants under the age of 16 must have the consent of their parent/guardian/carer which will be confirmed in the consent section of this form.

  • Young carers outside of Somerset will not qualify for the draw.

  • The Somerset area will be confirmed using the postcode given in the consent section.

  • No alternative to the Amazon gift voucher will be offered.

  • Closing date for entries is 31 December 2024.

  • Voucher winners will be chosen at random and will be notified during January 2025 using the details in the consent form.

  • Voucher winners may be asked for additional consent to appear in publicity materials/campaigns.


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