Cornwall Carers Service

Kernow Young Carers

How we support Young Carers

We’re here to help Young Carers manage their caring responsibilities while still enjoying life, learning, and time for themselves.

Our support includes:

  • Information, advice, and guidance – by phone or through your school

  • 1-to-1 support – tailored help for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers

  • Activities and events – held regularly, including during school holidays

Make a Referral:

You can refer yourself or someone else by completing the self-referral form below.

Self Referral Form
Professional Referral Form

  • Newsletter

    Read the latest KYC Newsletter

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  • Feedback (4-9 years)

    We would LOVE your feedback!

    Click Here

  • Feedback (10+)

    We would LOVE your feedback!

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  • Carer Passport

    Used to identified carers of inpatients of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and Cornwall Foundation Trust.

    Find Out More

Schools: Help & Resources for Young Carers

We want every Young Carer to feel safe, supported and have equal opportunities at school. Here’s how we can help:

Young Carers Grant Funding

Apply for a Carers Community Grant to start or sustain a young carers group:

  • Up to £500 for setting up

  • Up to £1,000 for ongoing support

  • Great for things like refreshments, wellbeing packs, arts & crafts or trips to the Young Carers Festival

Awareness & Staff Training Resources

Access free materials to raise awareness and support young carers:

  • Posters for noticeboards (staff or students)

  • Short training presentations for Staff

  • All designed to support your journey towards the Young Carers in Schools Award - or simply to enhance support within the school

Young Carers Register

Join the Young Carers Register to help us support you better & access useful tools and benefits.

Why join the Register?

  • Be easily contacted & supported by Cornwall Council, Kernow Young Carers and our other partners.

  • Get a Young Carers Card - this can be shown at:

    • School

    • GP surgeries

    • Pharmacies & more!

    • To let people know you are a Young Carer.

Coming Soon

Extra benefits from local and national businesses when you show your Young Carers Card.

How to register

Contact us via:

Barnardo’s

Cornwall Carers Service works in Partnership with Barnardo’s,

Hosted by The Children’s Society & YMCA - Young Carers recently attended the Young Carers Festival 2025. They all had amazing time at the largest gathering of Young Carers in the world! It’s an opportunity for young people to get away from the pressures of being a Young Carer, have fun and make new friends.

We all need a friend who encourages us and makes us feel positive… that includes parents AND children! Yet our own negative thoughts can make us feel like we’re not good enough, no matter how old we are. This short and fun animation will help you to start a conversation with your child. Showing them how they can be kind to themselves, celebrate their small wins and feel proud of who they are. They’ll soon discover their ‘best friend ever’ is themselves.

Find out more here!