PARENTS AND TEENS: WELCOME TO MY WORLD

BACKGROUND

YOUNG CARERS

At least 175,000 children and young people in the UK give unpaid care to a parent or other family member, and there are probably far more who don't show up in the statistics. These carers can be as young as five, and older children may be expected to devote a lot of their time to caring.

It's hard being a young carer, and kids who take on this role risk:

• missing schooling, and failing to get qualifications
• being bullied
• suffering from mental health and emotional problems, including depression, stress and anxiety, isolation and loneliness
• developing physical problems related to caring, like back injuries and exhaustion
• not having time for fun
• never being able to act like a child or teenager
• missing out on holidays and hobbies or interests that take them away from home
• lacking the parental support they need when they're growing up
• having to cope alone and do all the caring themselves.

It can be hard for teenage carers like Natashia to move on to an independent adult life of their own, especially if they feel as though they are the only person who can care for their relative properly, or that there is nothing else that they know how to do.

See Find out more for organisations that offer help to young carers.