East Sussex Young Carers (aged 5 - 18)

Young Carers aged 5-18 can receive respite from their caring role, socialise with their peers, receive tailored support and information from East Sussex Young Carers.

East Sussex Young Carers provides a range of support depending on the individual case and the level of care being provided and may include:

• Chill Clubs – social groups with the aim of increasing confidence, reducing isolation and building social networks whilst meeting others in similar situations at home. They are free to attend and are held in each District. They last for 2 hours on a regular basis and activities include cooking, games, making things, sports and workshops to support them in their caring roles.
  Chill Clubs are held once a month in: Bexhill, Rye, Hastings (primary), Hastings (secondary), Peacehaven, Crowborough, Eastbourne (primary), Eastbourne (secondary).
• 1:1 Support – The Support Coordinator can meet with Young Carers on an individual basis if they are in need of someone to talk to that isn’t family. It could be that a diagnosis has changed, they are struggling with the move up to secondary school and how it will impact on their caring or any other caring related issue.
• School Support – In some schools across the county the Support Coordinators hold groups to meet with the Young Carers to complete assessments and work on their personal action plans, hold workshops such as first aid and other skills to support them in their caring roles.
• Respite Activities – ESYC fundraise to provide activities during the school holiday times such as trips out, workshops including photography, panto trips and visits to local places. All these activities provide the chance for the Young Carers to meet others, work as teams, increase self-esteem and give them a break from their caring role. There is a nominal fee to ensure attendance, but families who cannot afford to attend have the fee waived.
• Young Carer Personal Budgets – once a Young Carer has been supported by the ESYC staff for a time and they have created an action plan and had an assessment they may be a candidate for the East Sussex County Council awarded budget. The aim of the budget is to reduce the caring responsibilities and/or mitigate the impact of caring.
• Information – via the Hub and social media (Facebook & Twitter) information is shared about local events, support groups, activities and changes to legislation that may affect the families.

To refer a young person to our service please complete an Online Referral Form

The cared for person could be a parent, sibling or other family member who has emotional and/or physical caring needs such as:

• Mental health issues
• Substance misuse issues
• Long term health conditions
• Disability