Five-year-old among 1,322 children registered as carers in Lincolnshire
A 5-year-old is among 1,322 children and young people registered as carers in Lincolnshire.
The figures have been released by Lincolnshire County Council in response to a freedom of information request.
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United: Isabelle Bull, 9, is one of 1,300 young carers in Lincolnshire, She helps look after her mum Becky who has kidney failure.
Young carers are defined as children under 18 who look after a relative with a physical or learning disability, mental health condition, long-term illness or who are affected by drugs or alcohol.
They carry out tasks such as monitoring medication, helping with day to day activities and household chores.
And Helen Wydell, project manager for Action for Young Carers, said: “Young carers are a very special breed of child but they still have a right to a childhood. The majority of the young carers we know of are proud of their role and what they do. We work to make sure that, as young carers, their voice is heard in all situations, no matter how old they are.
“It is vital to continue to support them and we now know of far more young carers than when we started because they used to be hidden.
“We need to continue to break down the barrier of them feeling like they are isolated and the events we put on for them are brilliant for this.”
Harry Tedder, 14, from North Hykeham, cares for his father who has a brain tumour.
“Action for Young Carers put a youth club on which we go to,” he said.
“Knowing that there are people there to talk to is reassuring and it is nice to have a break. Having said that, I can guarantee there are other children less fortunate than me.”
