‘I’d love a normal life, but being a 17-year-old carer means sacrifices’ – BBC News
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‘I’d love a normal life, but being a 17-year-old carer means sacrifices’
Ava-Grace Britton, 17, is a carer for her father Paul and says she worries about him "all the time."
Published 3 minutes ago
Ava-Grace Britton is a 17-year-old college student studying acting in north London. She enjoys social activities with friends and aspires to attend university next year. However, unlike her peers, she also has significant caring responsibilities for her father, Paul, who suffers from mobility and memory issues due to multiple strokes.
Along with her mother, Karen, Ava-Grace monitors Paul’s blood glucose levels, administers medication, and assists with meals and household tasks.
"I worry about him all the time," Ava-Grace shared with the BBC. "Before I go to college, I help him, and most days, I have to return home quickly to care for him."
She is not alone. Officially, census data suggests there are approximately 130,000 carers under the age of 18 in England and Wales. However, the actual number is believed to be significantly higher, potentially reaching 1 million young carers under 18, with another 500,000 aged 18-25 (Carers Trust).
For some, these responsibilities are substantial, amounting to over 50 hours per week. This often impacts the social and academic lives of young carers.
"It turned our life upside down," Karen expressed about Paul’s health decline after a sepsis infection led to his strokes. "Paul spent three months in hospital and rehab. I don’t know how I would cope without Ava-Grace."
Ava-Grace acknowledged the sacrifices she has made due to her caring duties, including missing out on dance competitions and struggling with school attendance because of both her care responsibilities and epilepsy.
"I can’t do all the things my friends do," she said. "You have to make sacrifices. I worry about the future… I know my dad needs me."
Image: Ava-Grace Britton helps her mother, Karen, care for her father, Paul.
More than half of young carers, like Ava-Grace, provide support to their parents. The rest primarily care for siblings or grandparents. The Carers Trust notes a recent increase in non-parent carers as financial pressures have led to parents prioritizing work, leaving children to care for other family members.
This can result in challenges with socializing and hobbies, higher rates of bullying, school absences, and suspensions. Department for Education data reveals that young carers are 25% less likely to achieve five GCSE passes, including English and Maths, compared to their peers, and are twice as likely to be out of education, employment, or training for two years or more.
Some support is available for young carers, including assessments from the local authority and access to benefits.
