Celebrating young carers in the UK

The UN’s theme for International Youth Day today, 12 August 2020, is “Youth Engagement for Global Action” and seeks to focus on youth engagement through three interconnected streams across the community, national and global levels. To mark this day Spurgeons Children’s Charity, which runs young carer services, is placing a spotlight on young carers in the UK because of their valuable, often unseen and selfless contribution to the local community. 

There are at least a quarter of a million young carers nationally – young people caring for or supporting a family member with an illness or disability. Young carers tend to be a special type of young person, children and teenagers who have had to grow up very quickly to care for those they love. An increasing number are looking after parents with drug and alcohol problems and have to shoulder responsibilities that would make most adults run a mile. 

The average age of young carers is 12 and some can spend up to 50 hours a week caring for siblings, grandparents, parents or other relatives. Their responsibilities affect their friendships and relationships, their learning and development, health and wellbeing and future career choices. That’s why our Young Carers groups provide essential support and a safe place where young carers can just be kids again. They can discuss their struggles or just have fun and relax, a welcome respite from the stressful situations they often have to manage at home. 

Yet, despite the overwhelming challenges these young carers face, I’m privileged to witness so many of these extraordinary young people thrive and pursue their dreams, often with the aim of continuing to serve their communities and the world beyond. 

Take 18-year-old Mya, who has been a young carer for her Dad since she was five. Her Dad is a double amputee (he lost his first leg when Mya was five) as a consequence of his Type 2 diabetes. He is blind in one eye and has a heart condition. He also lives with depression. 

Mya and her Dad are close and have always been there for each other. “Since I was little, my Dad has done everything for me and always taught me the importance of good manners and courtesy, despite all our hardships. He tells me: ‘If it weren’t for you, I don’t know where I’d be… you’re my light at the end of the tunnel’.” 

While her Dad encourages Mya to go out and spend time with her friends, she knows that if he calls, she’ll have to return home to see to him; she’s very much aware that if she doesn’t look after him, no-one else will. 

Like so many young carers, Mya shows great maturity for a teenager. Being part of Spurgeons’ Birmingham Young Carers group has, says Mya, played a key part in her maturity. She’s been going to the group since she was 6 years old, so it’s maybe no surprise to hear her describe Spurgeons as being “like a family”. 

Mya says, “They’ve helped me when I’ve been struggling; like the way they supported me when I was being bullied at school, for example, helping me to learn coping strategies and making me feel that I wasn’t alone, that I could overcome the bullies.

Mya hopes her current studies at a local college might take her into a career in hospitality or some kind of people-facing role, and maybe even to University and she likes the idea of returning to help the younger carers as a volunteer.

There are other stories, like young carer Poppy who has faced domestic abuse, homelessness and isolation. But she is still a bright and friendly girl who has been looking after her disabled Mum since she was eight years old and continues to do well in school and explore her love of the arts.

Mya and Poppy’s narratives are hopeful, in part because of the support they and their families receive through charities like Spurgeons and programmes like our Youth Groups, and in part because they have learnt to sacrifice so much already out of love for their families.

As we commemorate International Youth Day and reflect on the vital role that the youth play in our society - whether locally, nationally or globally - it’s worth celebrating the selfless love of young carers like Mya and Poppy. I have confidence in our future if young people like this, who know what it is to put the needs of others ahead of their own, have a hand in shaping the world of tomorrow.