Secondary care: Video – A young adult carer’s story

A young adult carer’s story

Video Becca (1:39)

I’m Becca, I’m 17 and I love online shopping.

I’m not really sure what I want to do with my life, I didn’t do that great in school – so I’m trying to do a part time maths course at college, but I can’t always focus when I’m in class.

Dad says I should be doing money management instead. He jokes about it, but I do get worried about how much I spend sometimes. Addmitidly, that new kitchen bin wasn’t necessary but I try to buy useful stuff for the house.

I cook and keep the place tidy to help Dad because he can’t get around easily.

Sometimes everything gets overwhelming though. I haven’t been doing well in lessons. The teachers probably think I just don’t care about my grades. I’d had a horrible day the day before one of my exams, I was trying my best to revise and there was a crash from downstairs, I ran down and dad was on the floor. I couldn’t lift him, my head was spinning and I panicked. I couldn’t find the right words to describe what was happening. It was awful.

The paramedic saw what I was dealing with alone and recommended I get some support.

They helped me with lots of my worries and they’ve even been showing my how to budget.

Shopper, meal provider, house tidier, sugar checker, washer upper, wheelchair driver, kettle boiler, emergency sorter, translator. Becca is a carer. Are you?