YOUNG CARERS
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| Twelve year old Becky plays a vital
role in her family |
Cleaning, cooking and raising a five year old may sound like the
duties of a responsible parent, but for twelve year old Becky Whitehead
it's all in a days work.
Becky is
one of an estimated 175,000 young carers in the country, who juggle household
responsibilities with a busy school life - often at the expense of leisure
time.
Becky's mum
Maureen suffers from severe arthritis. Mobility is extremely difficult
for her and heavy lifting almost impossible.
Although
social services provide some support for the family, it is down to Becky
to fill in the gaps and the majority of household chores are her responsibility.
It is a situation
echoed across thousands of homes in Britain and it is estimated that the
work of young carers saves the government 拢57 billion pounds.
Second
mum
It is not
only Maureen who Becky cares for, but her younger sister too.
 |
| Maureen
suffers from severe arthritis and relies on daughter Becky's help |
Five year
old Bethany was born with a cyst on her brain which has left her with
severe learning difficulties and epilepsy.
"Becky
is a second mum to Bethany," explains Maureen. "Sometimes she
(Becky) cares for me, sometimes I care for her. It's a funny relationship,
but it works."
Much of Becky's
free time on evenings and weekends is spent looking after her family.
For some
young carers making and sustaining friendships can be hard, but Becky
is lucky - her friends are extremely supportive.
"She
is strong minded and really loving and patient," says one of Becky's
school friends. "She is really good at what she does."
And it's
not just Becky's friends who recognise her achievements. Lin Thatcher
runs one of many country wide support groups for young carers.
"I feel
really lucky to work with them," reveals Lin. "A lot of adults
would struggle to cope with the responsibility they have."
 |
| Becky's
leisure time is precious |
Time out
In recognition
for the work of young carers across the country, a Young Carers Festival
is held in July.
For Becky
it is a chance to swap experiences, worries and concerns with other young
carers and time for some well deserved respite.
Whilst Becky
is overjoyed to be able to enjoy typical 12 year old pursuits for the
weekend, others reflect on some of the drawbacks the added responsibility
can bring.
"We
have to mature faster and we don't have time for ourselves," says
one young carer at the festival.
Under
pressure
And it's
not just time for themselves that young carers lack, but valuable time
for homework too.
 |
| The
Young Carers Festival allows vital respite and a chance to share experiences |
Becky is
often tired for school and struggles to fit homework around her household
chores.
Lin Thatcher
stresses that one of the main battles young carers face is lack of awareness.
"All
they're asking for is somebody to hear what they're doing," says
Lin.
"A lot
of families wouldn't survive if they weren't doing what they do."
And for Maureen
back at home missing Becky, this is certainly the case.
"She's
a little star, we wouldn't cope without her." |
