Resources for parents and guardians

Raising a child who is managing a long-term health condition — or who is caring for someone — can be incredibly rewarding, but also emotionally and practically challenging.

At Renaissance Foundation, we recognise the strength of families and are here to support both you and your young person every step of the way.

Understanding a young carer or patient’s role

Children and young people may:

·      Take on adult-level responsibilities at home

·      Miss school or social opportunities due to caring duties or hospital appointments

·      Hide their situation because they fear judgment, separation from family or stigma

·      Be unaware that what they do qualifies as being a young carer or a young patient

Signs your child might need extra support

Your child may be struggling if you notice:

·      A drop in school performance or engagement

·      Withdrawing from friends or family life

·      Increased anxiety, stress, or emotional outbursts

·      Constant fatigue or trouble sleeping

·      Acting more mature than their peers, or showing a strong desire to be in control

How Renaissance Foundation can help:

Our three-year programme is designed to support young carers and young patients aged 12–16 in and around London. We focus on:

Nurturing Potential

·      Safe spaces to connect, build friendships, and explore personal interests

·      Encouragement to just be a young person

·      Group sessions, fun activities, and wellness-focused check-ins

Building Resilience

·      Confidence-building experiences and workshops

·      Support navigating education, healthcare, and personal wellbeing

·      Practical tools for emotional regulation and goal setting

Empowering Futures

·      Access to once-in-a-lifetime moments: attending the Nobel Peace Prize

·      Mentorship from professionals across industries

·      Exposure to careers, universities, and new possibilities

“It’s given me my old child back”

“Renaissance Foundation took my boy and made him a really confident man”

Feedback we’ve received from parents about our programme

How to get involved

Your options:

  • Refer your child via our Make a Referral page

  • Ask a teacher, healthcare worker, or social worker to make a referral

  • Reach out directly if you’re unsure whether our programme is right for your child. We assess every case individually.

  • Explore our impact stories to find out more about how our programme has helped other young people

All sessions are free of charge and held at our Youth Hub in Aldgate, London.

Who do we support?

Young Carers

We support young carers aged 12- 16 years who care for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, may need support.

Young Patients

We support young patients aged 12- 16 years who have a long term chronic health condition, such as a heart transplant, sickle Cell and autoimmune diseases and other conditions.

 FAQs for parents and guardians

  • No. We schedule sessions to complement school schedules and holidays. We also work closely with schools to support education, not disrupt it.

  • Yes. We prioritise safeguarding, consent, and communication. Parents and carers are kept in the loop at every stage.

  • That’s okay. We approach every young person with compassion and patience. Many build trust over time through positive shared experiences.

  • Absolutely, just let us know and we can connect you with someone. Many of our alumni parents are happy to share their journeys.

  • To download a PDF with more information about these and other organisations, click here.

For additional questions, we invite you to look over our Make a Referral page. Alternatively, feel free to contact us for more information.