Supporting Young Carers across Winchester

Winchester and District Young Carers (WDYC) provides support for young people aged 8-25 who care for a family member due to a long-term illness, physical disability, learning difficulty, mental ill health or addiction. This could be a parent, grandparent or sibling whom they provide regular emotional and or practical support to.

In 2023 the schools census changed, requesting schools report on how many young carers they have each year. Across Hampshire, 57% of primary and secondary schools reported having zero identified young carers in February 2025. This was 67% of primary and 10% of secondary schools.

Research by the Carers Trust suggests that, on average, there are two young carers in every classroom. This under representation is likely due to a lack of understanding of what young/ young adult carers do and those who may not want to be identified.

Having caring responsibilities can have a significant impact including missing school, feeling anxious, tiredness, and reduced time with friends. It can limit their aspirations and opportunities for the future, with many young/young adult carers struggling with balancing their needs and those of the person they are caring for.

WDYC was established in 1999 as one of the first projects of its kind. Over the past 26 years the charity has been dynamic in meeting the needs of young carers across the district. We support up to 160 young/young adult carers each year, providing specialist programmes that include emotional support sessions exploring feelings, coping mechanisms and identity. Alongside this we offer respite activity days for new experiences, time with friends and trialling new hobbies.   

WDYC takes a holistic approach to supporting the whole family which ensures that we take a multi-agency approach where needed and preventing families from feeling isolated. Part of this approach is providing whole family activities and signposting information.

“Thank you so much for everything you’ve always done for us all. It really has had a huge positive impact on our lives. My daughter wants to be a teacher and help children because of how much you have helped her.”

“Our 9-year-old has gained greatly from having a time and space away from home and understanding and recognition of our challenges as a family. [WDYC] has been the most helpful input we have received since starting our journey with services in 2019.”

“Thank you for being here and supporting us all. I never knew there were so many other children like me who cared for someone else.”

As a small independent charity, we rely on funding from many sources including bid applications, donations, and local fundraising, to ensure we can achieve our annual budget. Our financial security largely relies on the kindness and generosity of individuals.

Being a part of Legacy Action Week is an exciting opportunity for WDYC. Working with other local charities helps to raise awareness of what we do and hopefully identify some Legacy Superheroes to aid us in ensuring that young/young adult carers can continue to access much needed and deserved support now and into the future.

“Young/young adult carers face all the challenges that young people face growing up, whilst also navigating a caring role. They are some of the most inspiring and resilient people I have ever come across. It is an honour to have worked with them over the past 16 years and seeing them learn and grow through the WDYC support programmes is what feeds my passion to ensure they always have the support they need”– Anna Hamilton, Charity Manager

For more information visit: www.winchesteryoungcarers.org.uk