I started caring for both of my parents from the age of 6 – I became a carer overnight when my mum had an accident but despite countless hospital visits, doctors involved and most people knowing I had 2 disabled parents, I didn’t become an identified young carer until I was 14 years old – when my attendance plummeted at school because I just couldn’t cope anymore. Trying to balance caring for 2 parents with being a teenager with dealing with peers not understanding what it was like to be in my shoes. My teacher said “Just checking – are you involved in the young carers project?” My reply – “What’s a young carer?”. That day was the beginning of a commitment which is currently 19 years in, to working to raise awareness of young carers, not just with education and health professionals, but with children and young people and the public.
