Lucy’s story

Although she is just 8 years old, Lucy’s biggest concern is looking after her disabled mum. Every day Lucy helps to wash and dress her mum as well as ensuring she takes her medication.

Lucy, one of an estimated 175,000 young carers in the UK, had learnt to care for her mum. But like most eight-year-olds, she didn’t really know how to look after herself.

Other children usually have help at home to brush their hair into neat ponytails, or make sure their clothes are washed. Lucy struggled to do these things for herself. Her classmates noticed this, and called her names. So as well as the pressure of caring for a parent at home, school also became difficult for her too.

We provide advice and emotional support to young carers through counselling and drop-in sessions. We also help make sure their parents get all the benefits and help they need. Our staff liaise with schools so teachers can support young carers. And just as importantly, our projects provide social opportunities for having fun and just being a child again.

Lucy’s teacher referred her to our Willow project. Here, Lucy has met other young carers in similar situations, and this has shown her she isn’t ‘weird’. Her mum has had a new wheelchair ramp installed, and we worked with her to make sure she was getting all the benefits and support she was entitled to. We also worked with Lucy to help her learn how to wash herself and brush her hair. The transformation was remarkable. Lucy’s self-esteem increased enormously, and she has developed a real pride in herself.