Being a young carer is an important part of who you are, but it doesn't have to be everything. We're here to help you meet other young carers, make friends, build confidence and get the support you need.
Through activities, groups and one-to-one support, you can learn new skills, take a break from caring, improve your wellbeing and feel more confident about the future. We're here to help you achieve your goals and fulfil your potential.
Get support from our Young Carers Team
Other support services for young carers
National
Childline Childline is a free private & confidential service where you can talk about anything. Call 0800 1111.
Barnardo's Youth services, supports young people, particularly with homelessness, employment/training/skills and LGBTQ+
Mind Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem
Prince's Trust Run programmes to help young people get into employment
Sidekick from Action for Children Advice for young carers.
Sibs For brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults.
Sense Support for young carers and siblings of disabled people.
Further services for young carers in Bristol
| Name of service |
Description |
Age range |
| Babbasa |
Inspiring and supporting under-represented young people in Bristol to pursue their ambitions through skills training, professional mentoring, events and recruitment support services |
16 – 25 |
| OTR (Mental health support in schools) |
This service supports young people with mental health. They have groups that meet online and provide 1-1 support in schools. The school will need to be registered with OTR (off the record) The list of schools is in the link provided. Please contact the school to register your child. |
11+ |
| School nurses |
The Bristol and South Gloucestershire School Nursing Service is available to all children and young people living, or at school/college within the Bristol and South Gloucestershire local authority area, as a first point of contact for advice and signposting |
5 - 19 |
| Square Meals Foundation |
12-week programme. See the website for start dates. |
16+ |
| Name of service |
Description |
Age range |
|
AFC (text crisis support) SHOUT
LGBTQI+ Mental health
|
Free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service If you need support, you can text AFC to 85258.
|
11+ |
|
Bristol Black Carers
|
Providing support and assistance for Caribbean, African and Asian Carers in Bristol.
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Bristol Drugs Project (BDP)
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Their Family Team run a free and confidential youth group for children and young people who are living with a family member who uses alcohol or drugs.
The youth group is an opportunity to get out for the evening and have fun with other young people. They have groups for 5 – 10-year-olds and for 11 – 16-year-olds, covering the whole of Bristol. They have dinner together and do activities including arts and crafts, outdoor play, cooking and 1-to-1 time if a young person wants to take some time out.
Groups are held for two hours one weekday evening a week, twice a month for 5 – 10 year olds and monthly for 11 – 16 year olds. Transport is arranged to get the young person there and take them home again, either by car or minibus.
To find out more, please contact the BDP Family Team on 0117 987 6009
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Heart to Heart Counselling
|
Free counselling.
|
12+ |
|
Kooth
|
Free anonymous online text counselling for young people
|
11+ |
|
Mind info line
|
Online and telephone resource that doesn't offer counselling but provides a safe space to anonymously discuss your mental health concerns.
|
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| The Mix
|
A free mental health service for people under 25 years old. The Mix offers a range of short term support options for getting help without leaving home; one to one chat, telephone, crisis messenger
|
11 -25 |
| NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline |
Short online quiz for all ages allowing you to access local mental health services
|
All ages |
|
Nilaari
|
Support – social care and talking therapies for BAME
|
Under 25 |
| Off the Record |
Youth services, mental health support
Please check out their range of services via their website.
|
11 - 25 |
| Self-Injury Support CASS helpline and TESS text service |
A website with resources for young women and girls, as well as carers and professionals around self-harm, also a text and call service
|
All ages |
|
Sidekick Action for Children
|
Sidekick is a confidential helpline for young carers in the UK. You can message us any time, about anything that's bothering you as a young carer.
|
13 - 18 |
|
Young Minds
|
For ideas for practical support
|
11 + |
| Name of service |
Description |
Age range |
| ACTA |
Bedminter-based drama club for 10 to 18-year-olds in south or east Bristol.
To refer your child, please follow the link and sign your child up.
|
10 - 18 |
| Bristol City Council |
Information on youth activities
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| Brave Bold Drama |
Hartcliffe-based for families living in BS13, range of arts-based activities
|
6 - 12 |
| Creative Youth Network (CYN) |
Open access youth groups in different locations in the city.
|
11 – 19 |
|
Children’s Centres
You will need to register your child at your local centre.
|
Check your local Children’s centre for activities, advice, guidance and family support.
North Bristol Children’s Centre
(Filton Avenue, Upper Horfield Lockleaze, Southmead, Brentry & Henbury, Sea Mills, Long Cross & Avonmouth)
0117 2772685
[email protected]
Central Bristol Children’s Centre
(Covers St Pauls, Barton Hill, City Centre, Hotwells, Redcliffe, Whitehall, St. Judes, Easton, Lawrence Hill)
0117 9030337
[email protected]
South Bristol Children’s Centre
(Covers Bedminster, Withywood, Hartcliffe, Whitchurch, Stockwood, Knowle, part of Redcliffe, Totterdown)
07795952621
[email protected]
|
All ages |
|
Empire Fighting Chance
|
This programme integrates mentoring, career support and therapy with boxing to support young people from 8 – 16 years old.
You can refer your child on the website.
|
8 – 16 years old |
|
Felix Road Adventure Playground (Easton)
|
Open access adventure playground located in Easton.
Please check the link for opening times during term time and school holidays
|
8 to 14 |
| Full circle project @ Docklands |
Youth support groups/ fencing/music groups/coding club/basketball/football
|
8+ years old |
| Learning Partnership West (LPW) Play |
Community support for youth work engagement
Play sessions @ the Hideout Adventure Playground BS13 0RF (Teyfant road)
Urban Park – Thursdays 3-5pm (Barton Hill)
|
6 – 25 years old |
| Life Cycle UK |
Help children and young people learn to cycle and become more confident. 1-1, group rides, youth activities
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St Paul’s Adventure Playground
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Open Sessions.
It also has an onsite bike project/workshop with access to the public
|
All ages: Younger children are welcome if supervised by an adult. |
|
Southmead Adventure Playground
|
Open access service for play, cooking and fun activities. Check out their Facebook page for up-to-date timetable of events and activities coming up.
|
8 - 13 years old
Children under 8 are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult.
13+ for youth sessions |
|
Young Bristol
|
Youth services, youth clubs, outdoorsy activities and creative activities. These clubs are based all over Bristol. Please see the link to see where your nearest club is.
|
8 – 19 |
|
Youth Moves (South Bristol)
|
Youth services, sport/music/outdoors, youth club, 1:1s mentoring, extra-curricular education support, social action/volunteering support.
|
12+ |
|
Your Holiday Hub
|
Information on free activities in school holidays
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Further services for young carers in South Gloucestershire
| Name of service |
Description |
Age range |
| OTR (Mental health support in schools) |
This service supports young people with mental health. They have groups that meet online and provide 1-1 support in schools. The school will need to be registered with OTR (off the record) The list of schools is in the link provided. Please contact the school to register your child. |
11+ |
| School nurses |
The Bristol and South Gloucestershire School Nursing Service is available to all children and young people living, or at school/college within the Bristol and South Gloucestershire local authority area, as a first point of contact for advice and signposting |
5 - 19 |
| Name of service |
Description |
Age range |
|
AFC (text crisis support) SHOUT
LGBTQI+ Mental health
|
Free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service If you need support, you can text AFC to 85258.
|
11+ |
|
Heart to Heart Counselling
|
Free counselling.
|
12+ |
|
Kooth
|
Free anonymous online text counselling for young people
|
11+ |
|
Mind info line
|
Online and telephone resource that doesn't offer counselling but provides a safe space to anonymously discuss your mental health concerns.
|
|
|
Mind You
|
A mental health & emotional well-being hub for young people, parent & carers in South Gloucestershire.
|
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| The Mix
|
A free mental health service for people under 25 years old. The Mix offers a range of short term support options for getting help without leaving home; one to one chat, telephone, crisis messenger
|
11 -25 |
| NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline |
Short online quiz for all ages allowing you to access local mental health services
|
All ages |
|
Nilaari
|
Support – social care and talking therapies for BAME
|
Under 25 |
| Off the Record |
Youth services, mental health support
Please check out their range of services via their website.
|
11 - 25 |
| Self-Injury Support CASS helpline and TESS text service |
A website with resources for young women and girls, as well as carers and professionals around self-harm, also a text and call service
|
All ages |
|
Sidekick Action for Children
|
Sidekick is a confidential helpline for young carers in the UK. You can message us any time, about anything that's bothering you as a young carer.
|
13 - 18 |
|
Young Minds
|
For ideas for practical support
|
11 + |
| Name of service |
Description |
Age range |
| Creative Youth Network (CYN) |
Creative Youth Network enables young people, no matter their background or circumstances, to reach their potential. 1:1
Support covering a wide range of topics, including:
- Youth work
- Group support
- Wellbeing support
- Mental health support
|
11 - 19 |
| Children’s Centres |
Check your local Children’s centre for activities, advice and guidance, and family support.
Children’s centres offer families with children aged 0-5 years a free range of services, information and support in a friendly and welcoming environment, within the local community.
They are also used by community organisations, including those working with the council to provide family services.
|
|
| Empire Fighting Chance |
This is a programme integrates mentoring, career support and therapy with boxing to support young people.
You can refer your child on the website.
|
8 – 16 |
| FACE |
FACE provides a range of exciting activities for young people at weekly groups and outreach sessions.
As well as this they also offer mentoring, volunteering and accreditation schemes for young people.
They are part of the Filton Twinning Association, and offer packages of small group work and activities in and out of schools.
|
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| Holiday Activities and Food Programme |
Provides free places on holiday activity programmes for children and young people eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
They currently have around 20 different providers working across around 37 locations in South Glos.
They also provide free places for children and young people considered vulnerable ie SEND, CP, CiN, CLA.
All children and young people attending a programme will also receive a free healthy lunch.
|
8 - 16 |
| JIGSAW Thornbury |
JIGSAW Thornbury supports families who have children or young people (CYP) with additional needs and/or disabilities, including those who may not yet have a diagnosis. These may be medical, physical, educational or mental health difficulties.
A range of services, including support groups and wellbeing programmes.
|
0 - 25 |
| Juice Community Project |
Juice provides activities, services and help for those who live in the BS30 area.
Juice has a community hub which is open Monday to Friday where residents can drop in and ask for help. Juice also works closely with other agencies in the area like housing, health, employment and learning.
|
0 - 25 |
| Krunch |
Krunch is a young people-focused registered charity offering support, guidance and encouragement to young people enabling them to fulfil their potential.
Krunch provides 1-1 mentoring, workshops, girls groups, and juniors groups.
|
11 - 18 |
| Learning Partnership West |
Learning Partnership West (LPW) exists to inspire future aspiration and ensure that no child or young person is left without help.
Through play work, youth work and the provision of alternative education our relentless care and personalised approaches are underpinned by trauma-recovery.
|
6 - 25 |
| Life Cycle UK |
Helps children and young people learn to cycle and become more confident. 1-1, group rides, youth activities.
|
8 - 14 |
| South Gloucestershire Council |
Information on youth activities.
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