Supporting Young Carers Across Skye & Lochalsh: The Essential Work of SLYC

Behind many families in our communities are young people carrying responsibilities far beyond their years. For some children and teenagers, caring for a parent, sibling, or family member is simply part of daily life — but it can also be emotionally and physically demanding.

That’s where Skye & Lochalsh Young Carers (SLYC) plays such an essential role, offering support, understanding, and opportunities for young people to take a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities. Founded in 2000 by Marjory Jagger, SLYC began by supporting just six young carers. Today, that number has grown to more than 70, reflecting both the growing need within the community and the

charity’s unwavering commitment to being a safe, supportive space for young people aged 5–18.

Meet the Team

At the heart of SLYC is a small, dedicated team who work so well to support young people across the

area.

Grant leads the service as Manager, developing its vision and projects;

Cat, the Senior Support Worker and Administrative Coordinator, supports young carers while

ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes;

Lauren, Support Worker, provides hands-on care, group sessions, and supports young people on a

one-to-one basis;

and Christine, Financial Administrator, manages the charity’s finances to keep services running

sustainably.

Together, they create the caring, friendly environment that so many young carers in our community

rely on.

Who Are Young Carers?

A young carer is a child or teenager who helps look after a family member living with illness, disability, or substance misuse. Their responsibilities often include caring for siblings, managing household chores, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and organising medication or appointments. Because this routine feels normal to them, many young carers don’t recognise when they need support, rest, or time to simply be children. SLYC is there to bridge that gap, making sure every young carer has somewhere safe, welcoming, and understanding to turn to.

Support, Respite and a Safe Space

SLYC provides a wide range of emotional and practical support tailored to each young carer’s needs. Group sessions, one-to-one support, and regular respite outings give young people opportunities to relax, make friends, and take time for themselves away from their responsibilities. Advocacy support is also available, helping young people with school meetings, GP appointments, and more. Their bereavement service is another vital offering, open to any child aged 5–18 who has experienced the loss of a parent, sibling, or close family member. Their referral form for both bereavement support and young carer referrals are available on the SLYC website and can accessed and submitted by schools, GPs, other professionals, parent/guardian or by the young person themselves.

Weekly Groups and Life-Skills Workshops

Group sessions run weekly in both Kyle and Portree, each beginning with a snack along with fresh fruit and veg, followed by a life-skills workshop or activity. These workshops help build confidence and provide meaningful experiences — previous sessions have included visits from paramedics, trips to the fire station, the SSPCA, and even meeting the local GP. SLYC greatly values support from local organisations. Any local business or group able to offer a workshop or activity for small groups is warmly encouraged to contact Grant (skye.lochalshcarers@gmail.com), as these experiences stay with the young carers long after the session is over.

Volunteers and Community Involvement

SLYC is currently seeking volunteers to help with group sessions, respite outings, and fundraising events. Even a small amount of time can make a huge difference to young carers who benefit from the extra support, encouragement, and friendly faces. Anyone who may be interested in volunteering is invited to get in touch with Grant (skye.lochalshcarers@gmail.com).

You’ll often find the SLYC team at local events — agricultural shows, community gatherings, and recently a soup & pudding event in Dunvegan. With more events planned, the charity is always grateful for community support and attendance – watch this space as there are some exciting events in the pipeline!

The SLIDE Initiative

SLYC also runs the SLIDE (Skye & Lochalsh Incentive Discount Entitlement) discount card, offering savings across a wide range of local businesses in Skye and Lochalsh. The card costs £30 and can be purchased at any time of year, lasting for 12 months before optional renewal. They are available to anyone in postcodes IV40–IV56, with delivery usually within three days. SLIDE has its own Facebook

page, and the card can be purchased through the SLIDE website. Not only is this a great way to support local businesses but also supporting Skye & Lochalsh Young Carers. The website also features SLYC’s special 25th anniversary candles, created in partnership with Isle of Skye Candle Co. Pimento & Cranberry and Highland Gorse — make perfect gifts while directly supporting the charity’s work.

Food Support and Donations

At the SLYC hub, young carers can access dried goods, snacks, and crates of fresh produce kindly donated by CFine as well as the local community, where they can help themselves to however much they require. The community is always welcome to donate food & children’s clothing, all of which goes directly to helping families across Skye and Lochalsh.

Recent Activities and Upcoming Highlights

In July, SLYC visited Columba 1400 to deliver a four-day Seasons for Growth programme, offering a supportive space for six young carers to explore themes of change, loss, and bereavement.

November marked the much-anticipated annual respite trip where a group of high school aged young carers headed to Edinburgh. The young carers enjoyed the Christmas markets, took part in activities, and, undoubtedly, fitted in a spot of shopping. This trip is a highlight of the year and gives the young people a well-earned break.

A Major New Chapter: Building for the Future

SLYC is embarking on one of its most exciting projects yet — the creation of a brand-new young carers’ building in Portree. This purpose-built facility, set to be over double the size of their current hub and located behind the Gaelic primary school, will offer a spacious, modern, and welcoming environment for young carers to relax, learn, and spend time with one another. This new centre will potentially allow SLYC to expand their services, open new opportunities, and future-proof the support they can offer for generations to come. It represents a huge step forward — but it can only happen with the help of the community. The charity must raise £2 million to bring this vision to life.

Your Community Needs You

Young carers give so much of themselves every single day. Now, as SLYC works to build a bigger, safer, and more supportive future for them, the community has the chance to get involved and help. Whether you can donate, volunteer, offer workshops, contribute to fundraising, become a trustee, or simply help spread the word, your support truly matters.

Every bit of kindness — big or small — moves SLYC closer to opening the doors of their new centre.

Together, we can make sure every young carer across Skye and Lochalsh feels seen, supported, and valued.