How can we lighten the load of young carers?

Across the UK, more than 800,000 children give up their time to care for their poorly loved ones. Closer investigates...

I STRUGGLE TO CONCENTRATE AT SCHOOL – I’M ALWAYS WORRYING ABOUT MUM

Despite being only 11 years old, Marissa Salter’s typical day starts at 6am. She makes breakfast for her mum, before getting ready for the 30-minute walk to school.

And when she arrives home, she cooks dinner, and then gets on with her homework.

Marissa is one of the army of children across the country who give up their free time to look after their loved ones as a young carer.

Marissa, who lives in St Ives, Cornwall, explains, “It can be hard sometimes, and I feel very lonely. The worst bit for me is when I’m at school.

“I get anxious and struggle to concentrate, as I’m always worrying if my mum’s OK.

“But Mum never makes me feel like I have to care for her – I do it because I love her, and I want to help.”

The latest figures from the charity Action For Children say that young carers aged between seven and 18 spend an average of 25 hours a week looking after their loved ones – which amounts to around £140,000 of free work across their lifetime. Other research also suggests that these children have more worries and concerns than their peers.

HIDDEN WORKFORCE

Action For Children has described the situation as a “hidden child workforce” and the Department For Education said that young carers “should be protected from excessive caring responsibilities”.

Helen Leadbitter, national young carers lead at The Children’s Society, says, “Children provide invaluable support for their loved ones – whether that be cooking, cleaning or basic healthcare. They are proud of what they do, but it has a huge impact on their own lives.

“Many young carers we speak to report feeling isolated or lonely, and are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and stress.

“Their schooling is also affected, as young carers are more likely to arrive late, or have poor attendance, and research shows GCSE grades tend to be lower.

They also experience bullying – targeted simply for being a carer, or perhaps because the person they care for has an illness that is stigmatised, such as drug or alcohol dependency. Because a young carer has less opportunity to participate in social activities, they may struggle with social interaction, too.

“There is legislation that states local authorities need to identify and assess young carers in the community, to ensure they have the support they need. But it’s hard to implement this when so many young carers don’t make themselves known due to fear of being stigmatised.

“We need schools to share a positive message about carers, and also a range of disabilities. If more young people understood what some of their peers were going through, it would help carers to feel less isolated, and more like everyone else.”

Marissa’s mum, Suzanna, 51, was in a life-changing car accident in March 2008 when she was hit by an oncoming car.

She was left with arthritis, deterioration of the lower spine and two herniated discs, which means she now suffers with agonising back pain on a daily basis.

Single mum Suzanna, who is a retired secretary, says, “To begin with, my condition wasn’t too bad.

I was able to do the household chores – just very slowly.

“But over time, things have got worse, and Marissa has been helping me since she was about four years old.