Research

Research by Chris Deardon & Saul Becker in 2004 looked at 87 young carer projects and 6178 young carers.

Some of their findings:-

• The average age is 12
• 56% are girls
• 44% are boys
• 56% live in single parent households

The 2001 Census identified 175,000 young carers in the UK caring for a parent or other relative with a long term illness or disability.

The Carewise project is currently supporting 270 young carers.

Not every young carer who is identified chooses to become a member of Carewise.