Back Page: And this is what I do - Jane Birkin, senior project worker, Derby City Young Carers Project

They provide support to another person on a regular basis. I also have additional responsibilities for recruiting staff, supporting and deploying volunteers, setting up training sessions and deputising for the managers.

How do you help young people? It depends. The youngest carer is six and the oldest 18, but the majority are aged 11 to 15. They are referred to us by different agencies such as the police, social work, schools and so on, or they can refer themselves. The young person is then assessed and allocated a project worker. Some of the young people need help to understand their role as a young carer, or information about their parent's disability. Others might need their self-esteem raised through workshops, or to make friends to avoid isolation.