YOUNG CARER CASE STUDIES

Email office@carers-westlothian.com | Tel 01506 448000

Young Carer Case Studies

Lucy is 15 years old and lives with her mum and dad.

Her mum struggles with depression and dad works away a lot as a long-distance lorry driver. She lives locally, public transport isn’t great. Lucy often feels isolated and trapped at home.

Being at home with a parent suffering from a mental health illness means that Lucy sometimes feels overwhelmed and unable to cope. The Young Carer Service helps Lucy to access activities, and she gets support on a regular basis. She has a time out card for school and also gets to meet a support worker regularly to ensure she gets the support she needs in school, especially if mum is struggling and dad is away.

Lucy finds its hard to cope with her mum sometimes and likes the contact with someone.

Alex is 12 years old and lives in West Lothian with his mum.

They live together as a single parent family who get by on a very low income. Alex provides care for his mum who had a physical disability and suffers from periods of depression. Alex is supported by the Young Carer Service and comes to a group and attends regularly. In addition to this he has a befriender who he meets every 2 weeks.

Alex enjoys meeting his befriender as it gets him time away from home and he has really bonded with them. Alex has made new friends within the group and has met a few outside the group.

He says he is a lot happier now and feels better about coping with his mum more.

Testimonials

Parents and Guardians

Young Carers

My son enjoyed making new friends.

My son benefitted from being able to relax in a safe place.

It reminded my daughter how to have fun.

It was good my child could go places and do activities we as a family are unable to do.

My son looked forward to going to the group every week.

I could see my daughter become happier and more confident as the group went on.

It was good to see he wasn’t the only one in this situation.

She was always happy when she came home.

I feel I am more confident.

I can have more fun.

I made great friends.

I loved making new friends.

I got time away from my brother.

It was a nice break.

I am less worried.

The group was amazing.

I could have some time away from stress at home and have fun.

I got to meet people that go through the same things who are now my friends.

I’m getting out of the house more.

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EXTERNAL QUICK LINKS

St John’s Hospital - 01506 523000
NHS 24 - 111 / Web - NHS UK
Samaritans - 116 123 (Free from landlines and mobiles) / Web - Samaritans
Breathing Space – breathingspace.scot
Childline - 0800 1111 / Web - Childline.org

HELP OUT OF HOURS

West Lothian Council Social Work Services - website WLC Social Work
Out of Hours Emergency Service 01506 281028 / 281029
West Lothian Council main number 01506 280000
West Lothian Council Social Work Services 01506 282252