‘I used to feel like there wasn’t anyone else like me’: Young carer urges others to speak out 

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A young man from Bargoed has spoken out about the struggles of being a young carer.

 

Luke Parker, 18, cares for his mother who has degenerative spondylosis and fibromyalgia, and his brother who has cerebral palsy.

 

He has been caring for his mum since 2013, when he started secondary school.

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Wales has the highest proportion of young carers in the UK, and everyday more young people dedicate their time to care for someone in need - putting their own lives on hold.

 

There are more than 7,000 young carers in Wales, the Carers Trust report, but more recent studies suggest there are over four times more. 

 

The School Health Research Network reported in 2019 that 16% of secondary school pupils have caring responsibilities.

 

Luke said,

 

 

          “When I was younger I used to feel like there wasn’t anyone else like me, and it was all             me, and I would get bullied or harassed for being a young carer.”

 

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Luke told ITV News that while caring, he felt like he had missed opportunities and lost friendships as a young person.

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He spoke of some experiences he had while being a young carer:

 

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          “My parents haven’t been to a parents’ evening since year 9, because my dad works                  too many hours and my mum’s too ill to go up.

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           They had to go to one in year 11 and I had to book a taxi and when the taxi was late               bringing us back down, I had to run home - while my mum stayed in the school - get               her wheelchair, bring it back up and push her back down because the taxi cancelled               on us.

 

          That was the biggest set-back in a while, not only did it kill my mum’s hope in people,            but it really set us back as a family because we were so unprepared for that.

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          It kills me to see her in pain because there’s nothing I can do, no matter how hard I try,            how much I clean, how much I’m there - it’s not going to solve it, she’s still going to be            ill forever.”

 

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Luke is urging other young carers to speak out about what they are experiencing.

 

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          “It’s nothing that I wish anyone else has to go through, but if you are going through it             just reach out for support, talk to your mate.”