Preparing for your next steps
As young people begin to reach age 14, you will be encouraged to think about your goals and aspirations for the future. This can feel overwhelming for any young person, imaging a world outside of formal education, developing independence and creating a future for yourself.
However for a young carer, this can bring additional worries and thoughts. How will I continue to support the person I care for? What will that care look like? Will someone else be able to support them if I am not physically available? How will I be supported if I leave home?
All of these are valid concerns, but we want to reassure you that we will remain here for you as you navigate this important transition moment of your life.
Future Planning Sessions for Young Adult Carers
The Young Carers Service here at The Carers' Centre have teamed up with local charity, Young Carers Development Trust to run workshops for young adult carers aged 14 and above focusing on their future aspirations. Young carers will be invited to join us for six sessions focusing on a variety of topics to help navigate their way towards their desired education or career path.
Sessions could include exploring year ten options, identifying transferable skills from their caring role, understanding what bespoke support is on offer for young carers and more, all whilst building a fantastic peer support network of other similar aged young carers navigating the same challenges. These sessions will be co-produced with those who are interested in attending.
Young carers aged 14 and above can also receive a one: one session with our support officers to identify their goals and build a plan on how to achieve it.
Jude shares her story, as she prepares for her next stage of life at University
Life at the moment
I am currently in Year 13, which is my last year of 6th form. I submitted my university applications last September, and currently have four offers back out of my five, I haven't heard from my fifth yet. I've had offers from Warwick, St Andrews, University of Bath and Oxford. The process was stressful, particularly on top of everything else, it was incredibly hard to manage.
But I think in a sense, having my caring experience did actually help me because for example, for one of the applications, I had a whole interview process. In my second interview, the first question I got asked was, ‘how helpful are you’? Immediately I thought – I have a lot to say on this. The first thing I said was, I'm doing this for anyone who feels like they can't do it.
Looking to the future
Exploring your next steps and thinking about how this may impact and change your caring role can feel scary, but you don't need to think about it alone. Connect with your peer support network, chat to a Young Carers Support Officer and reach out for support when you need it.
Remember, you’re not alone. There are many young carers successfully navigating their transition into adulthood and there’s a wealth of support available to help you along the way. With the right strategies in place, you can achieve your goals while continuing to provide invaluable care to your loved ones.
