Young Carers
Looking after someone? You might already be a young carer.
Maybe you don’t call yourself a “carer”, you’re just doing what needs doing at home. If you’re making meals, doing shopping or housework, helping someone pick up their meds, checking in when someone’s down, or looking after younger siblings when someone else can’t. Surprise: that is caring.
Whether you’re doing it every day, once in a while, or quietly in the background, this space is for you.
Do you help with daily living activities like cooking, cleaning, or shopping?
Do you manage or assist with other household administration tasks?
Do you provide personal care, such as helping someone get dressed or bathe?
Do you manage medications or medical appointments?
Do you offer emotional support or companionship?
Do you take care of siblings if the primary caregiver is unwell?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then YES, you are a young carer. And if any of this feels familiar, our free camps and activity days are a place to meet others, have fun and build the tools that help you feel strong and supported.
Still unsure? Reach out anyway and we’ll talk it through together.
CONNECT AND GROW
A Young Carers Program by Kookaburra Kids
Connect and Grow is a five session wellbeing program for young people aged 8 to 18 who are supporting someone with a mental illness.
During the program young people will:
✔ Connect with other young people who truly understand.
✔ Build confidence in who they are, beyond their caring role.
✔ Learn practical wellbeing and coping skills for everyday life.
✔ Know where and how to seek support when they need it.
✔ Set meaningful goals that build hope for the future.
✔ Have fun while learning, making new friends and trying new activities.
Please note, young people will need to attend all sessions to be part of the program.
Who I am
First session face to face during our Day Camp.
My Team
Second face to face session during Day Camp
Click here to see what day camps are on in your area, or see below
What's On
Upcoming Programs for Young Carers
Day Camp at Magnetic Island, QLD
- Magnetic Island, QLD
Day Camp at Stand Firm Adventures, Cairns QLD
- Redlynch, QLD
Emu Gully Camp, Helidon Spa QLD
- to
- Helidon Spa, QLD
Supporting Young Carers
We know that many young people impacted by family mental illness also take on caring roles at home. To make sure these young carers get the support they need, we’ve expanded our Kookaburra Kids programs through a partnership with Wellways Carer Gateway.
Together, we’re delivering more camps and activity days across parts of Queensland. Our programs give young carers a chance to take a break, build friendships, and learn skills to look after their own mental health and wellbeing.
Proudly delivered for and in partnership with Wellways Carer Gateway.
MAKE A BOOKING
To participate in our Young Carer programs you must be registered as a Young Carer and a Kookaburra Kid. To register a young person as a new Kookaburra Kid, click here
To book an existing Kookaburra Kid into a program, book here
Booking System | Kookaburra Kids
Our team will guide you through what the Wellways Carer Gateway has to offer and how to register.
THE WELLWAYS CARER GATEWAY
Carer Gateway is a national support service funded by the Australian Government. Wellways provides Carer Gateway services Cairns, Townsville and most of South East Queensland and the New South Wales regions of South West Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains. It’s here to give carers the support they need – whether that’s looking after a parent, sibling, or friend. Through the Wellways Carer Gateway you can:
✔️ Chat with a counsellor if things feel heavy
✔️ Join coaching or skill-building sessions
✔️ Connect with other carers your age
✔️ Find resources to make life a bit easier
✔️ Take a break with respite care when you need it
It’s all about making sure carers don’t have to do it alone, and reminding you that your wellbeing matters too.
For over 45 years Wellways have provided inclusive mental health and disability support for people, their family, friends, and carers.
As our delivery partner in Cairns, Townsville and most of South East Queensland, the Wellways Carer Gateway is helping young carers to look after their own health and wellbeing, so they’re in the best place to care for and support their loved ones.
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