Sidekick is a confidential and anonymous SMS service for young carers aged 13-18. You can text us any time, about anything that's bothering you as a young carer. We'll text you back within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.
*It's free to text if you have free texts included in your mobile plan, if not, it will cost the normal rate charged by your mobile phone provider.
Action for Children made Sidekick to support any young carer aged 13-18. A young carer is someone who looks after a family member or a friend struggling with an illness, a disability, a mental health issue or addiction.
You may have something you're worried about or just a question about everyday life. We're here to listen and help you get support. You can ask us anything you like - it will always be confidential, anonymous and there will never be any judgment from us.
You can text Sidekick whenever you want. Day or night. We'll get your message and respond within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.
Looking after someone can feel lonely and difficult at times. Sometimes you just have things on your mind and you wish you could ask someone how to deal with it.
Well, Sidekick is exactly that someone. We are a team of specialists who care. We want make things a little easier for you as a young carer, whether it's by talking or finding answers to your questions.
You can text us anything to 07888 868 059 and we will text you back within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. You can text as many times as you want and it's always anonymous and confidential. It's free to text if you have free texts included in your mobile plan. If not, it will cost the normal rate that you are charged by your mobile phone provider.
We'll only ever get in touch personally to get more details from you if we feel you are in danger or need urgent help. Other than that, we will never ask for your name or any other details.
This service is confidential - meaning we won't tell anyone else about the things you tell us. However, sometimes, we may need to share information if we're worried about your safety, or the safety of someone else.
These are the times we might need to tell someone what you've told us:
We will always try to work with you to help you get the support you need, from people around you.
If you're worried about your safety, call Childline on 0800 1111. You can also text Shout to 85258 to get mental health support. Both services are free. If you need urgent help from the police or a hospital, dial 999 from any phone.