Based on the National Census of 2011 there are more than 11,000 unidentified young carers in Oxfordshire.

The Oxford Young Carers Project is a charity that aims to support these young carers, aged five-25, whose life is in some way restricted because of their need to take responsibility and care for someone who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition, or misuses drugs or alcohol.

Many of the young carers the charity is in touch with suffer from environmental, health, social and/or economic disadvantage and many have experienced bullying. Other common factors are chronic anxieties such as stress, fatigue and depression and most have unstable homes, feel socially isolated, suffer from little confidence and have very little self esteem. They also lack time to do school work; some are risking of falling into the NEET category, and have poor longer-term job prospects.

A young carer describes their experience: “I’m hidden. You don’t see me. I don’t talk to anyone about what I do at home and my caring role.”

With the project young carers are given the opportunity to be a child and a young person first. Some of the things offered are: homework and tutoring clubs, one-to-one support, trips, drop-in groups and residentials. The project also provides training to schools and professionals to identify young carers to get them and their family the help they need.

These forms of support act as a lifeline to many young carers. Another young carer said: “My keyworker at the project really helped me and made a difference in my life . . . if I didn’t have this (college) I’d be lost. Now I have more confidence.”

The project works with more than 250 young carers and is in contact with children as young as two-and-a-half years of age and relies on donations and sponsorships. If you would like to help through a one-off donation visit www.justgiving.com/oxfordyoung carers, or text 70070 writing OXYC11 and the amount you wish to donate in £.

Or you could do a sponsored parachute jump, cycle ride or trek in China (www.doitforcharity.com and look under O for choose a charity). For more details on the project, or if you know of someone that may need help, email youngcarers@carercentre.co.uk; call 01865 205192 ext 2214, or visit www.coolyoungcarerscare.com