The festive season often sparkles with lights, laughter, and togetherness. But if you’re a young adult carer, Christmas can feel very different. Balancing caring responsibilities with the weight of grief or loss can make the festive season feel overwhelming. Remember, you don’t have to face it alone – support is out there.
Why Christmas Can Be Hard for Carers
While others are planning parties and exchanging gifts, you might be:
- Managing care routines that don’t stop for Christmas.
- Feeling isolated because you can’t join in festive activities.
- Coping with the loss of someone you cared for or anticipating that loss.
It’s okay to acknowledge that this season might feel heavy. Your feelings are valid.
Grief and Loss: Finding Support
Grief doesn’t follow a timetable, and it can hit harder during holidays. In West Sussex, you can access:
- Carers Support West Sussex Bereavement Toolkit – Practical guides and emotional support for life after caring. Explore resources here.
- Cruse Bereavement Care: Click here to visit website – Cruse Bereavement Care offers support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies.
- DrugFam – Bereavement – Providing support to families, friends and partners affected by someone else’s drug, alcohol, or gambling problems.
- Winston’s Wish: Click here to visit website – Supporting children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.
- Grief Encounters: Click here to visit website – Support for bereaved children, young people and families.
How to Ask for Help
You don’t have to do this alone. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Here’s where to start:
- Carers Support West Sussex – Call 0300 028 8888 for advice, emotional support, and carer assessments. We can help with contingency planning, benefits advice, and wellbeing support.
- Join Carer Groups – Connect with others who understand your challenges. Carers Support runs local and online groups for carers: Carer Support Groups & Events | West Sussex
- Create a Contingency Plan – Carers Emergency Contact Cards ensure the person you care for is supported if something happens to you: Carer Emergency Contact Card | CECC | Carers Discount Card
Crisis Support Over Christmas
If things feel overwhelming or unsafe:
- Sussex Mental Healthline – 24/7 listening support and advice: NHS 111 (select mental health option) Open 24/7
- Samaritans – 24/7 emotional support: 116 123.
- Calm – Daily 5pm to midnight: 0800 585 858.
- Papyrus – Open 24/7: 0800 068 4141.
- Anxiety UK – Open 24/7, self-care information line: 03444 775 774.
- Shout – 24/7 free text-based support: Text SUSSEX to 85258.
- In a life-threatening emergency, call 999.
Supporting Yourself Over Christmas
Try to Maintain a Routine
Christmas can disrupt your normal routine, making it harder to look after yourself. Keep regular sleep and meal patterns where possible and make time for movement and fresh air.
Look After Yourself
It can be tempting to drink more during the festive period, but alcohol or drugs only provide temporary relief. If you find yourself drinking to cope, reach out for help.
Take a Break from Christmas Media
If happy family images on TV or social media feel overwhelming, switch off and go for a walk instead.
Allow Yourself to Feel
Sadness, anger, jealousy, numbness—these feelings are normal. Don’t feel guilty for having them. Allow yourself to feel rather than pushing emotions away.
Talk to Someone
Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a support service, sharing how you feel can make a huge difference.
Remember: You Matter Too
Caring shouldn’t come at the cost of your wellbeing. This Christmas, give yourself permission to seek support, share your feelings, and take breaks. Help is just a call or click away.
Take care,
The Young Adult Carers Team
