Naomi's story

I began caring for my mum unknowingly around 5/6 years old. She has had a spinal deformity since she was born, but as the years have gone by it's taken its toll on her mobility, and she has spent a lot of time in hospital and then in recovery at home. I’ve always looked out for her, but as I got older, this started to include fetching and carrying, helping her do day-to-day things and trying to comfort her when she was in pain.

Being a young carer was never something that was planned. There were times when mum could be mum, and times when she physically couldn’t be. I didn’t see myself as a young carer, or even knew the term existed until I saw a poster at the GP surgery when I was about 15. My mum had been a nurse, so I guess I just learned how to care for her from a young age. 

Being a young carer was never something that was planned. There were times when mum could be mum, and times when she physically couldn’t be. I didn’t see myself as a young carer, or even knew the term existed until I saw a poster at the GP surgery when I was about 15. My mum had been a nurse, so I guess I just learned how to care for her from a young age. 

There were times I couldn’t go out, or would choose not to go because I was worried Mum wouldn’t have anyone to care for her or be able to look after my younger sister. I think this is something people who are not young carers struggle to relate to, and it often leaves young carers feeling alone, isolated or different. I often worried about how the future would look, how I would cope with having a job or family of my own, or how I would even be able to move out knowing she would be on her own. It can also be difficult to balance school/work and maintaining a social life as a young carer. 

The hardest thing I found about being a young carer is how I tend to take it upon myself to “fix” her, I hate seeing her in pain, I tend to feel like everything has to be my responsibility, I put too much pressure on myself to solve every problem. Of course, you can’t fix others' problems alone – they need to fix it the way they want with your support. 

"It’s not all bad though! I found it an honour to be a young carer, to know that you’re able to help someone you love be able to do the things they’d struggle to do without your help."

It’s not all bad though! I found it an honour to be a young carer, to know that you’re able to help someone you love be able to do the things they’d struggle to do without your help. The thing I loved most about being a young carer was the level of trust, and bond that me and my mum shared, caring certainly brings you closer to someone, being there in their best and worst moments, she really is my favourite person!