Nethergreen Junior School supports Sheffield Young Carers

Why Sheffield Young Carers Matters to NGJS

As school staff, we see firsthand how hard our pupils work to build bright futures. But for many children in our classrooms, the final school bell doesn't mean the end of the day—it means the start of a second shift.

There are over 7,000 young carers in Sheffield—roughly 1 in every 12 children. These incredible young people provide unpaid care for family members who are disabled, physically or mentally ill, or struggling with addiction.

The Reality for Our Pupils:

• Statistically, there are up to 3 young carers in every single school classroom across Sheffield.
• They miss an average of 27 school days every year due to their responsibilities.
• 39% of them hide their caring roles from their teachers and peers out of fear or worry.
• Over a third face intense mental health challenges from juggling adult responsibilities.
• The average young carer waits three years to be properly identified and given support, and some wait up to a decade.

Because they are caring for others, they often miss out on the simple joys of being a kid—playing with friends, doing homework on time, or just getting a good night's sleep.

That is why Mr Allen and Mrs Bedford are trading their lazy Sunday for running shoes and tackling the Sheffield 10K!

We are raising vital funds for Sheffield Young Carers, an incredible local charity that steps in to provide these children with one-to-one counselling, peer support groups, holiday camps, and a safe space to just be children.

Every pound you donate will go directly toward supporting a vulnerable young person right here in Sheffield. Please donate whatever you can to give a local young carer the break, the breath, and the future they truly deserve!

Thank you so much for your support!
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Want to know more about Sheffield Young Carers?

• Sheffield Young Carers (SYC) is a registered charity which has been running since 1997.
• SYC offer support to children and young people aged 8-25 who live in Sheffield and are young carers. Being a young carer means they provide care for one or more family members who have disabilities, long-term physical illnesses, and/or mental health problems. They may be providing physical, personal, financial and/or emotional care.
• SYC also offer support to children and young people aged 8-25 who live in Sheffield and are affected by drug and alcohol issues in their family (now or in the past). They provide support through one-to-one work, group support, trips, holidays, and support with education, employment, and training.
• SYC can work with young carers’ families, aiming to reduce the care the young person is taking on and improve life for the whole family. They also work with organisations across the city to make sure that additional support is available to young carers and young people affected by familial substance misuse.