A carer is anyone, of any age, who provides or intends to provide, care for another person on an unpaid basis.
Scotland’s Census 2011 reported that in Fife there are 34,828 unpaid carers. We know there are a many more ‘hidden’ carers, often people who do not define themselves as a carer. 70% of us will be a carer at some point in our life. Nearly half of all carers in Fife spend over 20 hours a week providing unpaid care. And we can reasonably forecast this number will increase as a result of a number of factors.
Adult carers
You are an adult carer if you are over the age of 18, and no longer attend school, and you provide or intend to provide unpaid care for another person.
If this is you this website is here to help you. It includes a wide range of information and resources to help you manage your caring situation. And it points you to many of the partner organisations that might be able to offer you support to help you meet your particular needs for support as a carer.
Young carers and young adult carers
You are a young carer if you are under the age of 18, or you still attend school, and you care for another person or intend to.
We know that as a young carer you may need help, in the same way as adult carers do. The help you need may be different and will be based on what matters to you.
As a young carer, you are entitled to have a ‘young carer’s statement’. The statement will involve discussing your caring role, what your goals are, and what support you might be.
Young carer’s needs will be different and no two young carers are likely to have the same goals and needs. This is why the young carer’s statement is important – it will focus on you.
You can ask an adult you trust for more information about being a young carer. Another useful source of information and advice is Fife Young Carers.