My name is Ryan and I’m 14 years old. In many ways, I’m just like every other young person with important goals like focusing hard on my GCSEs whilst finding time to have fun with my friends - but I’m also a young carer.
Up until recently, I had no idea that I even was a young carer. Like a lot of people, I thought that being a carer meant looking after someone with a physical need or disability full time.
A support worker I was already familiar with from Leicestershire County Council’s Teen Health service identified that I was a young carer, because I look after my brother who is neurodivergent. She referred me to the Leicestershire young carers team, where I was assigned my own worker who soon got to know and understand me.
I told her about all the things I do to try and help support my brother, which can sometimes be extremely difficult, but that I do these things because I love him and I love my family.
Most of the time, it feels like I am trying to catch a really bouncy ball whilst jumping on a trampoline because my brother can be so unpredictable. I always keep on trying though - I can calm him down because I know him and I love him.
Sometimes I can see how hard it is for my parents, so I try and take some of the stress away for them.
For me, being a young carer means that I have matured a lot more quickly than my friends. Despite this, my parents, my young carers worker and my school have helped me understand that I don't have to act like a grown up all the time and that it’s ok for me to relax and have fun.
I've already learned how to do loads of things that most people my age haven’t yet - but I see that as a positive. When I learn new skills, I know it will help me to become even more successful as an adult.
I would encourage anyone who is or thinks they might be a young carer to reach out for help and support. You don’t need to do this alone!
More information is available on our young carers page