A Young Carer is a child or young adult aged 25 years old or under who helps to look after a family member, relative or friend who has a disability, long term illness, terminal illness, mental health condition or who has addiction issues. (A Young Adult Carer is an older Young Carer, aged 15 to 25 years old. )
It’s very important to remember that no-one ever plans for a child to become a Young Carer, that’s just the way life happens sometimes. Children can become Young Carers at any age, when a family member becomes ill or disabled.
Young carers are just like you in almost every way, it’s just that they help to look after someone in their family, that’s all.
I wrote a little rhyming story called Katie Boo to help explain this a little bit better.
You can read it here. <Katie Boo.>
As you can see from the story, Katie’s Mum reminds her just how amazing she is, and that’s important. Why? Because Young Carers should be proud of what they do each day to help their families.
If you’re a Young Carer reading this, then Yes, I’m talking to you. Maybe you’re like my daughter and you think it’s just your ‘norm’ and you don’t really do much, but trust me, you do! If you were to write down all of the skills you’ve learned as a Young Carer and put them into a grown up C.V. You’d be a nurse, a counsellor, a chef, a bookkeeper, a companion, a carer (of course), a physiotherapist – and these are just some of the skills you’ve acquired and that’s something to be very proud of.
Have you told your school that you’re a Young Carer? If you haven’t, please think about talking to your teacher, because they can really help and support you in so many ways.
Please allow me to introduce you to two inspirational Young Adult Carers.
This is Jane Bayliss.
She has grown up as a Young Carer, helping to look after her older sister who has autism.
She wasn’t identified as a Young Carer until she was 14 years old, when her grades started slipping in school after her Mum was diagnosed with cancer.
From that point onwards she received support from her local Young Carers Project, and as a result of receiving the right support, she went to University / College, graduating with a degree in Psychology and a masters in Psychology.
This is Lauren Stammers.
She became a Young Carer at the age of 13 years old, when she started looking after her Mum, who has the rare brain condition I.I.H.
Like Jane, Lauren was able to reach for her dreams by receiving the right support.
She went to University, graduating with a degree in Criminology.
My daughter Adele-Caitlin studied for her degree with the Open University, and she absolutely loved it! She recently graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Creative Writing and English Literature.
So, you see, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t reach for your dreams. There are lots of people who can help to support you and your family.
Start by talking to your teachers at school.
You can do this!
Rianne Winter 