Young carer from Coningsby calls for earlier support after “not realising it was caring”
Sophie Hearth says she had been helping her family for years before accessing support in Lincolnshire
A young woman from Coningsby is calling for greater awareness of young carers after spending years supporting her family without realising she was in a caring role.
Sophie Hearth says her responsibilities began while she was still at school – but at the time, it just felt like part of everyday life.
“When I first started caring, I didn’t realise it was caring,” she said.
“I would just go about my daily school life, come home, help around the house with my mum, my dad, all my siblings.”
It wasn’t until teachers identified her as a young carer that she began to understand her situation.
“At that point I had no idea what that was about at all.”
Sophie later received support from Carers First in Lincolnshire at the age of 16 – something she says has made a significant difference.
“It has been such an amazing help. It gets me out, it gets my family out… we can talk to other families and everything that’s gone on.”
Now 21, she is sharing her experience to encourage others to seek support sooner and to highlight the hidden pressures young carers can face.
She says many of the responsibilities she took on growing up are often overlooked.
“It’s just going home and doing the washing up, cleaning the house, making sure everyone’s bathed and fed… basically household tasks that people’s parents would normally do for them.”
Carers First, which is commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council, offers wellbeing groups, advice and activities to unpaid carers across the county.
Sophie hopes that by speaking out, more young people in similar situations will be recognised earlier – and get the support they need.