Young Caregivers Club

Young adults, teens and children often find themselves in the challenging position of providing care and daily living assistance for grandparents, parents and siblings. If you or someone you know is a young caregivers, these resources are especially designed to provide coping techniques, valuable tools, and expert guidance to support self-care. Caregiving involves navigating different systems and relationships, organizing medical and personal issues and responding to sudden and gradual changes over time.

Aisha, 11
A young carer, Aisha helps look after most of her mother’s day-to-day needs and the cooking. She hopes that her mum’s breast cancer and fibromyalgia treatments will be successful.

Theo, 14
Attending high school has been difficult for Theo since his dad died. While his mum works two jobs, he is alone caring for his 4 brothers, (2 have autism and a third has a learning disability).

Mia, 19
Mia’s twin was born with multiple disabilities and needs complex care. She lives with him and their parents (both over 70). With her caregiving she has no freedom.

Noah, 10
Nobody knows Noah’s mum is divorced, unemployed and sad. Noah does his best to cheer her up, do housework and take his sister to school. He’s worried and not sleeping.

Emma, 16
After caring for her sister who lives Cerebral Palsy and her injured veteran dad who drinks, Emma failed a grade, lost her part time job and broke up with her boyfriend. She’s struggling.

Kai, 29
Working and juggling his pop’s home care, medications and doctor’s appointments is stressful. Money is tight. Kai moved back home to help with care, meal prep and the pets.

Hafsa, 25
Obligated to care for her sick aunt all the time as her kids are in university, Hafsa must do everything around the house for them all. She’s exhausted and feels hopeless.

Jaden, 6
Debilitating rheumatoid arthritis keeps Jaden’s grandma, his primary caregiver, in bed. They’re afraid of foster care so he and his little brother care for each other and her.

Expert Advice to Help You As a Young Caregiver

Who are the young caregivers?
Ever wondered who young caregivers are and what their lives are like? Take a peek into their world here.

Am I a young carer?
Take this quick quiz to see if you might
be a young carer and discover what
that means.

Juggling school and caregiving
Check out this interview with young caregiver Tyler who shares his top tips for balancing school and care work.

Own Your Caregiving Story

How to Get The Help You Need

The Young Caregivers Association has some great tips on how to speak up for yourself as you navigate your care responsibilities!

Opening Up About Being a Caregiver

Advice from Macmillan Cancer Support on how to talk about caregiving responsibilities with the important people in your life, including how to handle it when they don’t understand.

Taking Care of Yourself As a Young Caregiver

Virtual Wellbeing Activities

No coins or tokens needed!
Dive into Kids Help Phone’s games room for a variety of interactive well-being activities. Explore activities here:

More Self Care?

Wondering if you’re taking enough time to care for yourself alongside your caregiving? Take this short quiz to find out! Start the quiz here:

Downloadable Activity Kit

Unleash your creativity and enhance your self-care with the Young Caregivers Association’s “Take Care Kit”! Download it here:

Are You Caring for People With Different Needs?

For Parents, Educators and Health Professionals

It’s not always easy to spot a young caregiver, or know how to best support them.
Discover the Young Caregivers Association’s Knowledge Centre for tailored insights and strategies
to help the young carers in your care.

Recommended Resources to Help Young Carers

From books to podcasts, and support groups to helpful websites, our editors are providing you with a suggested list of interesting materials that have been created to give you a variety of ideas, opinions, and go-to sources of guidance. Read on and watch for new resources to be added.

Young Carer Books

Discover touching stories that reflect the love, struggles, and confusion faced by young carers. These books offer a window into their world. Check them out here:

Services and Groups

Explore a valuable collection of Canadian resources designed to educate and support young carers. Connect with others who understand your journey. Find resources here:

Young Carer Podcasts

Listen to “Hidden: The Voices of Young Carers”, a podcast by The Change Foundation. Meet 13 inspiring young carers sharing their stories to help raise awareness and support. Tune in here: