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

Ava-Grace Britton, a 17-year-old student studying acting in north London, carries out the role of caregiver for her father, Paul, who has suffered from strokes and diabetes. She also monitors his blood glucose levels, administers medication, assists with meals and household chores. Ava-Grace's mother, Karen, runs a charity that organizes lunch clubs for the elderly and vulnerable.

Despite her demanding responsibilities, Ava-Grace remains hopeful about her future and wants to attend university. However, her caring duties have prevented her from participating in certain activities, such as dance, and have led to challenges like school absences and bullying. She worries about her future and the impact of caring on her academic prospects, with young carers being 25% less likely to achieve five GCSE passes compared to their peers.

Ava-Grace is not alone, as there are around 130,000 carers under the age of 18 in England and Wales, with estimates suggesting as many as 1 million under 18, including another 500,000 between 18 and 25. The Carers Trust estimates that some young carers provide more than 50 hours of care per week, leading to significant consequences on their social and academic lives.

While support is available, such as assessments from local councils, respite breaks, peer support, and counselling, the support is often patchy and depends on the location. The threshold for adult social care relief is high, and many young carers do not receive the necessary help. The government has recently published an action plan for unpaid carers, including improved help in schools and joined-up support between the NHS, social care, and education. However, more help and understanding are needed for families like the Brittons.