Most people have heard of the term ‘young carer’, but does everyone know what this means? Young carers are children or young carers who have a responsibility to care for a member of their family or household. There is estimated to be over 700,000 young carers in the UK alone, and these young people deserve to be recognised. Annie Petchey is one of the 700000 young carers in the UK, and I have spoken to her about what it means to be a young carer.

For Annie, being a young carer means she has a role in caring for her older sister, Amelia, who is 18, and has Cerebral Palsy meaning she is unable to walk. Annie said that taking care for Amelia means that her sisters happiness and comfort are high priorities of hers, and that she needs to be constantly aware of her sisters surrounding and problems as well as her own.

Annie told me, that anyone with care responsibilities will understand the compromises and changes they have to make within their day or routine, in order to meet the needs and standards of another. Having a sibling with a disability has affected her whole life, and even when Annie was born, her sister Amelia was having operations and medical care in order to maintain her health. Most children with older siblings will understand how much one will follow in their siblings’ footsteps, however in Annie’s case, she had to learn to support her sister and help guide her as they grew at different rates. As I am sure you can understand, this could be confusing for a child. Annie told me of her countless memories of spending her Saturdays in waiting rooms or at physio whilst Amelia would have check-ups and appointments.

As Annie has grown older, her responsibilities have increased. When she was younger, her parents were always determined to keep her life as ‘normal’ as they could, however, now that Annie is older, she now sometimes has the job of showering and dressing her sister, as well and helping her on and off the bus on the way to Mencap, where Amelia learns how to prepare for working life.

 Despite the fact that some people would think of young carers as having hard lives with no support, Annie told me that her experience as a young carer has been far from negative. Despite the incredible challenges for herself and her entire family, Annie said that Amelia has been an incredible blessing to them all, and that she is an example of someone who is “so pure and innocent”. This is why Annie believes it is so important to care for the disabled: you can learn so much from them. 

As a society who believe it is so important to look after its most vulnerable, we also have a responsibility to look after these amazing and inspiring young carers like Annie. Annie and her brothers have been supported by ‘Richmond Young Carers’. They have been on residentials, taken part on weekend days, and had some extra fun treats, where she has met new friends and made some beautiful memories. 

Everyone can agree that the work that these young carers do is amazing. ‘The best support you can give to any young carer would be open eyes and ears. When someone is requesting help, give it. When you see someone struggling, help. I will always remember the kind people who have helped get my sister up and down the stairs or on the train. Sometimes the smallest of actions can make big differences and I promise those actions stick with you.’-Annie Petchey.

Jessica Cloake