'I'd love a normal life, but being a 17-year-old carer means sacrifices'

Ava-Grace Britton, 17, is a student at a college in north London studying acting. She enjoys spending time with her friends and aspires to attend university next year. However, unlike many of her peers, Ava-Grace also cares for her father, Paul, who has mobility and memory issues following multiple strokes. Ava-Grace assists him with blood glucose monitoring, medication, meals, and household tasks.

She often returns home early from college to care for her father. Ava-Grace expressed her concerns about her father's well-being and the sacrifices she has to make, stating that she worries about him constantly. According to official data, there are around 130,000 carers under 18 in England and Wales, although the actual number may be significantly higher, estimated at up to 1 million by the Carers Trust.

The Carers Trust estimates that some young carers provide over 50 hours of care per week, negatively impacting their social and academic lives. Paul's stroke was caused by a sepsis infection, and his health has worsened due to diabetes, forcing him to retire from his job as a borehole engineer. Karen, Ava-Grace's mother and co-caretaker, stated that their lives changed dramatically after Paul's strokes, emphasizing that she wouldn't know how to cope without Ava-Grace's support.

Ava-Grace sacrificed her participation in dance competitions and had to switch schools multiple times due to bullying and absenteeism caused by her caregiving responsibilities and epilepsy. She expressed her desire to attend university but concerns about relocating far from home. Young carers, like Ava-Grace, are more likely to face challenges in education, employment, and socialization, with a higher likelihood of being out of education, employment, or training for two years or more.

Despite available support, such as assessments from local councils, the help provided often falls short in addressing the underlying issue of the substantial caring demands placed on young carers. The government has recently published an action plan for unpaid carers, aimed at better supporting young carers through improved school assistance and integrated support between healthcare, social care, and education.