Laura, Olivia, Jamie and Megan ... the caring quartet

Laura Barker is nominated for the Young Carer award for supporting her mum and brother on a daily basis with the ‘usual’ challenges of family life.

Her mum suffers from high anxiety – this is something she does not share with many people, and as a result is quite isolated; rarely seeking support/help from outside the home; Laura’s brother has ADHD.

Laura’s level of emotional (and practical) support for mum is magical to watch

- she gives her mum the confidence she needs to support the family and create a happy home.

At school Laura is a quiet but impressive support mechanism for her brother she has worked with school staff to help them understand what her brother needs to succeed - with this level of support and intelligence, his school life is really improving.

Up until the age of six, Olivia Scott was a normal girl with a normal life. Then her life changed following the birth of her disabled younger brother.

The event made Olivia change into an even more caring and understanding young girl.

She has had to sacrifice time with her parents to go to Bobby’s hospital appointments and also misses out on childhood treats like days out because Bobby doesn’t like going out.

She even had to miss out on a holiday to Butlins, which she was so excited for, because of hospital and she didn’t mind.

Yet she never complains or resents him, instead she spends time looking after him as well as the two youngest ones and does therapy with him.

She sits reading books to him even though he doesn’t know what’s going on.

She really is an inspiration to us all and has matured into a girl who protects her brother from the people who sadly don’t understand, say her nominators. LAURA BARKER

Also nominated for this category is Jamie Kay. Jamie supports his father, Michael, who has grand mal epilepsy, leading to secondary presenting dementia and depression with a moderate heart failure.

He still continues to smile and has been a great support to other young carers within our Whitby group. Jamie deals with so much more than a young person of that age should.

He has recently had the sad news of his mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis while he also helps his mum with a number of issues, including her knees, with her referring to Jamie as her ‘hero’.

Jamie’s own emotional well-being has been OLIVIA SCOTT something he’s had to deal with, yet he still presents himself as a capable young man with so many qualities.

Megan Farline has shown exceptional resilience in supporting her mum with mental health problems.

A difficult subject for any young person to talk about,

Megan has shown a determination and drive about changing people’s perception of mental health and what a young carer is.

She is a wonderful advocate for young carers supporting her peers and always with a smile.

What a great group of young people for the Young Carers award, sponsored by Yorkshire Coast Homes.