AFC Totton
Highlighted charity for the match: AFC Totton vs Chippenham Town - 30/12/25
Romsey Young Carers supports over 150 children and young people aged 5–18 who help care for a loved one.
Through clubs, activities, trips and one-to-one support, we give young carers a break from their responsibilities, a chance to have fun, and space to just be themselves. We have to fundraise to keep our doors open and to continue to offer supported and tailored opportunities.
A young carer is someone under 18 who looks after a family member or friend living with a long-term illness, disability, mental health condition or substance dependency. Their caring might involve helping with household tasks, giving medication, or providing emotional support. Those aged 18–25 in similar roles are often called young adult carers.
Across the UK, it’s estimated there are over one million young carers, including around 800,000 aged 11–16 in England alone. Yet only about 84,000 are known to local authorities — meaning most go unseen and unsupported.
The impact on young carers can be huge. Many spend hours every day helping at home, often at the expense of schoolwork, rest, and social life. Nearly half report feeling tired or stressed, and 38% experience mental health problems. Those providing over 50 hours of care a week are far more likely to have poor health themselves.
School attendance and attainment are also affected. Young carers are more likely to miss lessons, struggle with homework, and find it difficult to balance caring with studying. Around 72% miss out on holidays, and nearly half say they lose friendships because of their responsibilities.
Despite their incredible resilience, young carers often face invisible barriers, under-recognition by schools and services, limited access to breaks or respite, and growing inequality for those from low-income families.
By understanding and supporting young carers, we can help lift that unseen load, giving every young person the chance to thrive both on and off the pitch.
To find out more or get involved, CLICK HERE!
