Sara is in Year 8; she supports her wheelchair-bound mum with cerebral palsy. She spends much of her school day worrying about her mum’s pain, making it hard to concentrate in class.

Cody, who’s 12, frequently starts his day at 5.30am, it’s not to get a game in on a console, to join in the group chat on his phone, or to do his homework he hasn’t done yet. Cody gets up to help his dad with his medication and to help his younger brother get ready for school.

Cody and Sara are examples of the Young Carers we work with. When they finish school today, they will still have laundry to do, dinner to make before helping their parent and siblings into bed before they can think about homework and getting to bed themselves.

We currently provide in-school support, Young Carer Youth Clubs and ‘making memories’ trips and activities across Essex. These services provide a safe place for children like Cody and Sara to get a break, make friends and talk to trusted adults.

We need your help to continue supporting Sara, Cody and hundreds of children like them. We need to raise funds for our Young Carer services so we can reach as many Young Carers as possible - no child should have to choose between childhood and caring.

Young Carers are sacrificing their childhoods to look after family members. These children take on adult responsibilities, but they must go to school, do homework, take exams and try make time for themselves.

They don’t call themselves Carers - they’re simply helping a parent, their brother or sister who couldn’t manage due to illness, disability, mental health issues, or addiction.

Young Carers tell us Action for Family Carers support makes a real difference:

Feel happier (86%),

Less stressed and anxious (61%)

Valued and listened to (78%).

They make new friends (80%)

Feel less lonely (65%)

Have somebody to talk (87%)

Get a break from caring (73%)

*Source AfFC Young Carers Feedback Survey 2024/2025

No child should have to choose between childhood and caring - Essex Young Carers need you.!

£20 - Funds an hour of one-to-one time with a dedicated Support Worker, giving a carer the chance to talk, be heard, and get vital help.

£50 - Pays for food, activities and a safe space for 20 Young Carers at one of our Young Carers Respite Clubs.

£500 - Will pay for a ‘Making Memory Trip’ for 20 Young Carers.

£6,000 - Will run a year of student support at one secondary school for 25 Young Carers.

As a small local charity our services are dependent on the love, support and commitment of our community and any fundraising you choose to do makes a big difference to all our services and to all the carers we support.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help us achieve our goals and create a brighter future for children like Cody and Sara.

For inspiration visit our fundraising ideas page