Unseen Heroes

Unseen heroes are what our young carers are! We see them, we hear them and with us, they are found! #SeenHeardFound

Nationwide

Young Carers are an invisible population of young people aged up to 24 years providing significant and ongoing support for or due to whānau members' disability, illness, mental illness, substance misuse, or advanced age, or due to socio-economic factors resulting in young people taking on care.

Although Young Carers feel proud to be able to support their loves ones, the caring roles can be overwhelming without support or recognition and many face poor mental health, education, and vocation outcomes and often lifelong emotional trauma. They are unintentionally left in the shadows as the focus is on the person/people needing the support and doing whatever it takes to help them heal.

Many of the Young Carers we serve have shown suicide ideation, self-harm, anxiety and depression. Despite the urgent need, New Zealand is failing these Young Carers and investment in supporting Young Carers is critical.

Unseen Heroes envisions a New Zealand where all young carers will be flourishing by learning to love who they are and understand their potential is limitless.

More about us

Unseen Heroes supports young carers—young people who care for a loved one with a disability, illness, or addiction. Often unseen and overwhelmed, we help them know they’re not alone, support their wellbeing, and empower them to chase their dreams.