Letter: Mayor Writes About Tear-jerking Reality Of Young Carers

Published on: 31 May, 2018
Updated on: 31 May, 2018

From the Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons

The Mayor of Guildford, 2018-19, Mike Parson.

On Thursday, May 17, I, along with Stephen Benbough, policy and partnerships manager, at Guildford Borough Council, were privileged to be invited by Sarah Murphy and Jane Friend, two members of staff at George Abbot School, to be given the opportunity to meet and talk to some 23 young carers.

We heard from nine of the carers first-hand, who told very real stories in their own words, personal stories of the caring they each provide within their family unit.

The age group ranged from about 11 to 14 years old, which falls completely in the group that my primary mayoral charity, Guildford Young Carers, was set up to help.

The following quotes are directly from these young people’s mouths. I found it a great challenge not to be moved and shed the odd tear listening to each of them.

“Mum has thyroid cancer and can’t manage much herself. I cook meals, cleaning the house, washing and ironing and look after my younger brother as well I don’t get a lot of time for myself.”

“My older brother has severe autism. I have two sisters at home. Mum is unable to cope. My brother has very violent moods that we can never tell when these will erupt. Loud noises such as music can cause him to run around the house and into mine and my sister’s bedrooms. He will just smash and break anything he gets his hands on. We can’t have friends around because of this and we must not leave mum alone. We don’t get out much at all.”

“My brother has autism and he gets very nasty, particularly to our mum. He makes her cry all the time. I give my mum emotional support.”

“Our dad has MS – the type that is slowly degenerative. It’s more an emotional role rather than caring but he is not able to play or spend time with me and my brother, and he finds this very hard to take.”

“I look after my mum and my sister who has Down’s syndrome and autism. She is 11 years old and can’t talk. Mum suffers from depression and dad starts work early but is not home till late. I am a Challenger’s ambassador.”

Click here for details about the Mayor of Guildford’s Guildford Young Carers Fund.

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