Will you make time for young carers? Will you make time for MYTIME?

A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18, who provides care to a relative or friend. These incredible young people do so much to support loved ones who may be living with a physical disability or illness, mental health condition or substance use disorder. They take on enormous responsibilities, some from just 5 years of age.

From cooking to cleaning, from administering medication to dressing wounds, from bathing Mum to comforting Dad, the day-to-day duties of a young carer can vary widely, but the majority of young carers have one thing in common. Amid the daily round of responsibilities, most struggle to find time for themselves. The result for many? High stress levels, mental ill health and overpowering feelings of isolation.

March 12th 2025 marks national Young Carers Action Day, and this year, the whole country is invited to make time for young carers. At MYTIME, this is something that we strive to do all the year round. We make the time to listen to, support and celebrate young carers. We make the time to train teachers, employers and other professionals, so that they too are equipped to support these remarkable young people. Importantly, we also work through our Making Memories programme to ensure that young carers have chances to make time for themselves.

The work that we do is so important, but we cannot do it alone. That's why, this March, were building a calendar filled with communities that care! Were looking for at least 31 schools, companies and community groups - one for every day in March - to commit their time to raising funds and awareness for young carers. How you do that is up to you!

Will you make time for MYTIME?