New Forest Young Carers

Supporting Young Carers Across the New Forest.

Web Design

SEO

Overview.

A warm, welcoming website designed to connect young carers with support, make referrals simple, and help the local community give back.

New Forest Young Carers is a charity and part of Community First Wessex, supporting young people aged 7–18 who help look after a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction. Through respite trips, group activities, one-to-one support and help at school, the charity gives young carers a break from their responsibilities, the chance to make friends who understand, and the space to simply be young. Since 2008, the charity has supported more than 1,480 young carers, delivered over 1,215 activities and provided more than 30,000 hours of respite.

WordPress CMS: Gives the team full control to keep the What’s On calendar, latest news and referral information current, without needing outside help.
Clear Get Support and Give Support Pathways: Two distinct routes help families and professionals find the referral form, FAQs and upcoming events, while supporters can quickly find ways to donate or volunteer.
Designed for Every Device: Built mobile-first, so young carers, parents and teachers can find support, check upcoming activities or make a referral just as easily on a phone as on a laptop.
Integrated Referral and Donation Journeys: Purpose-built pathways for referring a young carer, finding out what happens after a referral, making a donation, or signing up to volunteer.
Free Website Design & Build: The New Forest Young Carers website was designed and built free of charge through Delivered Social Green, meaning more of the money the charity raises can go directly towards trips, activities and respite for the young carers it supports.

New Forest Young Carers Website Homepage

The Challenge.

Creating a Safe, Welcoming Space for Young Carers.

Many young carers don’t see themselves as carers, and the families, schools and professionals around them don’t always know where to turn. New Forest Young Carers needed a website that could explain their work in plain, friendly language, make referrals quick and straightforward, and give supporters a clear way to get involved. The site had to reassure a parent or teacher on a desktop while feeling approachable to a young person on their phone.

Speaking to Young People and Adults at Once: The website needed child-friendly language and visuals that feel welcoming to young carers aged 7–18, while still giving parents, schools and referring professionals the detail they need.
Simplifying the Referral Process: Families and professionals needed a clear, low-effort route to refer a young carer, backed by FAQs and post-referral guidance so everyone knows what to expect next.
Balancing Fun with Trust: The design needed to capture the energy of trips and activities while reassuring families about safeguarding, with every member of staff and volunteer holding an Enhanced DBS check.
Growing Local Support: The platform needed to encourage local donations and volunteering, and reflect the partners behind the charity, including Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council and the New Forest Community Lottery.

The Results.

A friendly, accessible platform built to reach more young carers, simplify referrals, and grow support across the New Forest.

The final website gives New Forest Young Carers a bright, trustworthy online presence that reflects the difference they make every day. It works as a central hub where young carers and their families can find support and upcoming activities, professionals can make referrals with confidence, and the local community can easily donate or volunteer to help more young people get a well-deserved break.