Young carers in armed forces families

Are you a young carer in an armed forces family? If so, you can access support and resources through us to help you cope with your responsibilities.

Read on to learn more about the unique role you play, and how we can help you.

Am I a young carer in an armed forces family?

Are you...

Under the age of 18?
Looking after someone because they have a disability, a long-term illness or mental health condition, or an addiction?
The child of someone who is or was a member of the armed forces?

If you answered yes to all three points, then you are a young carer in an armed forces family.

If you think you might be a young carer check out our advice and support.

3 people smiling for a photo in front of some stairs, while a fourth takes the photo

Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2026

At the end of April, the Nexus Youth Voice Group was nominated for the Young People’s Award within the Celebrating Forces Families Awards. It was an amazing achievement for the young carers to be nominated and their hard work over the last 3 years recognised.

The young carers were praised for raising awareness of young carers in armed forces families, creating resources for young people and welcoming members into the youth voice groups.

Spotify playlist for Young Carers

Young carers in our Youth Voice Group created a Spotify playlist thinking about what songs are important to them, remind them of being a young carer, make them think of family or help them relax.

We are always looking for more songs to add to our play list, if you want to add a tune you can make your song requests here.

Two teenagers smile while looking at a phone outside a house.

“It’s a place to meet people who have similar experiences”. “It’s a place to meet people who have similar experiences”.

– A young carer, talking about the Nexus group

A collection of quotes from young carers surrounding a photo of a teenager. “Sometimes it might feel like you’re being lazy, but you’re not lazy you’re just tired. Everyone needs a break.” “You can’t put everything on yourself” “You’re still human” “Talk to those around you” “Being social can be helpful” “You’re not alone” — We asked young carers for advice they wanted to give to other young carers. Here's what they said.

We asked young carers for advice they wanted to give to other young carers. Here's what they said.

Activities

You can print out the activity sheets below and fill them in, either on your own or with the support of a parent, guardian, or friend.

Moving to a new home is exciting, you will meet lots of new people and see different things. But it can be hard to say goodbye to your friends and you might be worried about what it might be like living in a new place. Here are some of our suggestions to help you prepare for the move:

Find out about the young carers support in your new area.
Take loads of photos of your friends so you can remember them.
Talk to someone about your worries. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know, try kooth.
If you don’t have your own phone, ask for your friends addresses or their parents numbers so you can keep in touch.
Choose a special object to keep especially close in the lead up and during the move (ask that it doesn’t get packed so it can travel with you), maybe a book you love to read or a special teddy.

Your parent might be away during the week and only come home at the weekends, or they might be away on operations for much longer. Either way, it can be difficult. Here are some of our suggestions to help you when you are finding it a bit tough:

Write your loved one a letter, you could keep it for when they get back, pop it in the post or you don’t have to do anything with it at all (sometimes it just helps to get your thoughts down on paper).
Talk to someone about your worries. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know, try kooth.
Enjoy one to one time with the parent left behind
Take lots of photos to share with the absent parent when they return
Choose a project to do while they are away so you have something special to show them when they return
Visit or call the family of the parent who is away, they are feeling similar things to you

Young carers in armed forces families

Am I a young carer in an armed forces family?

Nexus Youth Voice Group

Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2026

Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2026

Spotify playlist for Young Carers

Advice for young carers

Activities

Helping out

Lorenzo's Adventure

Carers' rights and creating change

On the move?

Parent away?

Someone to talk to

Reading picks

Research Opportunity

Youth webinar

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Related content

Supporting young carers

The nexus project

Young Carers Festival

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