From Struggles to Successes: A Young Carer’s Story
Background
Across Norfolk there are too many young carers who have to shoulder responsibilities beyond their years as they look after family members. Voluntary Norfolk has been supporting them to take away some of the burdens they experience.
JD, a young carer who has grown up shouldering responsibilities beyond his years, is thriving with the support of Voluntary Norfolk’s Young Carers Matter service. JD’s life has been deeply affected by the challenges faced by his family, including mental health illnesses, physical disabilities, and the absence of his mother. Despite these hardships, JD continues to provide care for his father, who struggles with severe health issues, leaving JD to face the complexities of adult responsibilities at a young age.
Voluntary Norfolk’s Support for Young Carers
JD was referred to the Young Carers Matter service by the SENDco of his former academy. Prior to this referral, JD was juggling attending school with the demands of supporting his father, often at the expense of his own childhood. As his family support worker explained, “sometimes he wishes he could just be a child”, highlighting the emotional toll his responsibilities have taken on him.
Unfortunately, JD’s story is not unique. Many young carers like JD find themselves in situations where they must prioritise their families’ needs over their own, often leading to emotional and psychological struggles. JD has faced suicidal thoughts and trauma as a result of his caregiving duties and his mother’s absence.
Support from Voluntary Norfolk’s Family Support Worker
However, thanks to the intervention of David Sadler, a Family Support Worker from Voluntary Norfolk, JD’s story has taken a positive turn. David has stepped in to provide JD with vital parental guidance and emotional support. This was especially during a critical time when JD’s father was hospitalised and nearly lost his life. During this period, David acted as something of a father figure for JD, ensuring that he received the necessary care, guidance, and support.
David has played an instrumental role in helping JD navigate life’s challenges, from liaising with his former academy to ensure his Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) was processed correctly, to accompanying JD to medical appointments, and even supporting him in accessing educational opportunities at two colleges. David also facilitated JD’s enrolment at Easton College and helped him acquire financial support to successfully complete his motorcycle Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). This has enabled him to get a moped and achieve greater independence. David also ensured that JD received some employability advice.
Speaking about his experience with JD, David Sadler said:
“JD has shown incredible resilience, and I’m so proud of what he has accomplished. Despite his initial hesitation, he has fully engaged with the support, and his transformation has been remarkable.”
We are pleased that young carers, like JD, are achieving success with our support.
Next Steps
JD is now attending college and actively seeking employment. He can travel independently, even with limited public transport options in his rural area. His improved wellbeing and newfound independence are a testament to the life-changing support provided by Voluntary Norfolk and the collaborative efforts of local partners.
A Family Support Worker from Norfolk County Council Social Services commented: “Thank you so much for your ongoing support. The support that you provide the family is just wonderful and clearly has a positive impact on them. Working with you has been a delight.”
With the continued support of Voluntary Norfolk’s Young Carers Matter service, JD is achieving success and building a brighter future, demonstrating how vital it is to support young people who bear caring responsibilities.
