I have been able to achieve many of my ambitions
I had a difficult childhood, with my mum being severely mentally unwell and my dad killing himself when I was 12 years old. After Dad’s suicide, I was left to look after my mum without any help from relatives or healthcare professionals. I provided continual care throughout the remainder of my childhood, which was awful at times. Rather than choose to do this, I felt I had no other options. I was one of many children in the UK performing difficult caring tasks.
I wrote ‘Guidebook for Young Carers’ and created the website youngcarer.info because I would like to help present day young carers. Bearing in mind how difficult I found being a young carer, I would like to pass on practical advice based on my own experiences. Therefore I wrote the book and created the website to provide realistic advice to anyone who is experiencing similar challenges to those I encountered.
I also want to excite and inspire young carers about the future. When I was a young carer I experienced a range of emotions, including sadness, despair, frustration and anger. At certain times in my adult life I have also felt these emotions. Nevertheless, I have been able to achieve many of my ambitions. I would like young carers to understand there is hope and that they can follow their dreams and live a great life.