The only charity in Oxfordshire
devoted to improving young
carers’ well-being
We are Be Free Young Carers – a proudly independent Oxfordshire charity leading the way in championing young carers.
We create real, lasting change for children and teenagers aged 8 – 17 who care for loved ones. Our support helps them rediscover their childhood, build confidence, and thrive.
Everything we do starts with people.
We build strong, personal relationships with our young carers, their families, schools, and local communities as well as with our team, volunteers, and partners. Many of us bring lived experience, and we work in a culture that welcomes everyone to show up as their full selves.
Our mission is to enable Oxfordshire Young Carers to achieve their full potential by delivering a far-reaching developmental and emotional support network of people and resources in their daily lives, schools and communities.
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YC Youth Panel
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We believe young carers should feel strong, capable, and proud of who they are.
Empowerment means helping them find their voice, make their own choices, and build confidence – whether that’s stepping away from responsibilities to enjoy being a child, or speaking up for what they need in school or at home. We also empower our team, many with lived experience, to lead with empathy and authenticity. Everyone who touches our charity is uplifted and supported to grow.
We welcome young carers from all backgrounds and walks of life, recognising the rich diversity in their experiences and identities. Inclusivity for us means being approachable, non-judgemental, and creating safe spaces where young carers – and our team – feel seen, heard, and understood. We actively challenge inequality and ensure no one is left out, left behind, or left unheard.
We listen first. We show up with compassion, respect and without assumptions – because we know how tough life can be when you’re caring for someone you love. Many of our team members have walked this path themselves. That lived experience fuels our work, ensuring that young carers feel truly understood and emotionally supported.
Caring can be exhausting, isolating, and invisible. But young carers show incredible strength every day. We nurture that strength and help them find new ways to cope, recover, and thrive – from joyful respite activities to long-term support. As a charity, we also show resilience by pushing for change, standing up to systems that don’t serve young carers, and staying agile in a world that constantly shifts.
