Turning lives around: Sarah's story

As a carer, you can't really put yourself first."

There are about 175,000 young carers in the UK, like Sarah, who provide care or support to a family member who is disabled, physically or mentally ill, or has a substance misuse problem. Young carers often take on a level of responsibility that is inappropriate to their age or development.

Barnardo’s supports young carers and families with various services to make it possible for a child just to be a child.

Help us turn lives around. Your support will make a difference to the lives of young people like Sarah across the UK.

There are countless other cases of young carers.

Read Katie's story

My name is Katie and I've cared for my mum who has mental health problems since I was 13. The past five years have been full of tears, fears and joy.

Tears because I felt no-one understood what I was going through and I felt alone. Fears because I thought someone would break our family up and take me away from my mum. Joy because it feels like the worst is over and my mum and I both get the help and support we need.

Dealing with disruption

When I was 13, my mum became ill and had to go into hospital. We had no idea how long she would be there for. While she was in hospital I stayed with three different members of my family. I went to see my mum as much as I could but it was horrible because I had so far to travel and there was nowhere private to be alone with her until I found out that psychiatric wards have family rooms where children and young people can visit their parents safely. This made a big difference to us both.

School knew my mum was in hospital and asked me once or twice how she was. I didn’t feel they were interested. When she came out of hospital they didn’t realise that I was caring for her even though the signs were there.

Feeling overwhelmed

I was often late for school, sometimes I stayed off to look after her, sometimes didn’t have the right uniform, or the right books; I was tired and fell asleep in class a few times. I tended to lose my temper and get sent out of class. I would ‘act up’ trying to get attention and wanting somebody to ask me what was wrong.

I was hidden, unseen and very stressed.

Finally getting help

When I was 14 I joined the Barnardo’s Action With Young Carers. I felt as if I had been found, that I had found other young people in my situation. Everyone was very welcoming and non-judgemental as all of them had parents with mental health problems or were disabled.

Barnardo's has been a major help in my life they have been there for me when I thought no one else was there.

There are lots of young carers out there who are still hidden, and haven’t had the chances that I have had. I’m sure that the signs are there for them as well.

My thought for the day is that everyone should be looking out for young carers, It’s a matter of seeing the signs, listening to them, hearing what they say and giving them support they might need."

With your help, Barnardo's supports young people like Katie to turn their lives around.