'It's just normal life' - Cambridgeshire sisters share time as young carers
There are calls to help fund longer breaks for young carers
Two sisters in Cambridgeshire hope opening up about their experiences as young carers can help others like them deal with stress.
Shannon McElhone have been looking after her parents alongside her younger sisters Roisin and Erin for around six years.
Their parents require care for several health conditions, including hearing issues, diabetes and fibromyalgia, which causes pain around the body.
Figures from Carers Trust found 17% of carers it surveyed rarely or never get a break, while 40% said they got one only some of the time.
"When we get home, it's school-related work and get everything done, and dinner is a family thing which is really nice and then it's just chill," Shannon said.
"I understand sometimes other people don't find that balance because they don't know how to manage everything going on."
What did the survey show?
In its survey, Carers Trust found the time young carers spend in their caring role mean young carers often miss out on aspects such as education, friendships and holidays.
Fifteen per cent of carers said they could take a break whenever they wanted.
Asked what stopped them getting a break, 23% said there was no one else to provide the care they give while 40% said they worried too much about the person they care for to take time out from looking after them.
While 49% said they miss out on friendships, 65% said they lacked time to themselves and 19% felt they were missing out on their education.
The data comes on Young Carers Action Day - an annual campaign organised by Carers Trust which aims to highlight the challenges faced by young carers who are under 18 and young adult carers aged 18 to 25.
Life can be 'stressful'
Roisin was first identified as a young carer at eight-years-old.
"I'll admit, it's stressful and can get a bit much sometimes, but when you've grown up with it, it's not a change so it's just normal life," she said.
"If I come home from school and have some homework or revision I need to do, I can do that because the other two (Shannon and Erin) are taking care and if they need to do something, I can step in."
"It's nice because as we are a team, we all get time to relax."
Shannon said she sometimes feels upset when she returns home from sixth form.
"I think it's something I've learnt with the role that coming home is always upsetting because I don't know what kind of day my parents have had, I want to make sure they're okay and if they haven't had a good day, it makes me upset," she said.
"But it's about not letting that affect me as much because I know I can't do much to help, I can be there to support."
Making a change
This year, the theme of Young Carers Action Day is 'Give Me A Break', chosen by young carers to show their need for respite.
Young carers are due to go on an open top bus tour in London - organised by Carers Trust - with politicians being invited to meet the children and hear their concerns.
It comes as Carers Trust wants the Government to ensure all young carers have access to a properly funded break from their caring role.
The charity also wants politicians, education providers and employers to sign the Young Carers Covenant to help young carers improve their lives.
Shannon runs a group at her sixth form that gives young carers respite from their day-to-day responsibilities, and hopes to make an impact.
"We're trying to build the foundations for the people locally we can make a difference with by getting our story heard because we can see how it affects the people that don't always get the support," she added.
"With everybody working together, everyone will be able to get the support and respite they need which I think will ultimately help with the stress levels."
Government responds
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“Through our Plan for Change, we want to break down barriers to opportunity for all children, including young carers, to make sure they have the support they need to achieve and thrive.
“Local authorities are required to identify young carers in need of support, and schools can use some of the £2.9 billion of pupil premium funding that we provide as extra help for young carers.
“Schools should take a ‘support first’ approach to working with families to address barriers to regular school attendance.”