THE VERSE PUBLISHED IN THIS POETRY BOOK
WAS WRITTEN BY YOUNG CARERS
Young carers are children and young people who have
a caring responsibility for someone in their family who
has a physical or mental illness, a disability, or a
substance misuse problem. In addition, they are often
also responsible for younger siblings and all the
household chores. The 2001 census found that 175,000
oft
heUK’
s5.
8mi
l
l
i
oncar
er
swer
eunder18.
Young carers are children and young people
who have a caring responsibility for someone
in their family who has a physical or mental
illness, a disability, or a substance misuse
problem. In addition, they are often also
responsible for younger siblings and all the
household chores. The 2001 census found
t
hat175,
000oft
heUK’
s5.
8mi
l
l
i
oncar
er
s
were under 18.
T
heChi
l
dr
en’
sS
oci
et
y
Young Carers Initiative
Unit 2, Wessex Business Park,
Wessex Way
Colden Common
Tel: 01962 711511
Fax: 01962 711512
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.youngcarer.com
Supporters Action Line 0845 300 1128
T
he Young Car
er
sI
ni
t
i
at
i
ve i
spar
tofT
he Chi
l
dr
en’
s
Society. We offer information to young carers and
their families. We also offer information and training to
anyone who works with young carers and their families
across England and the UK. We are campaigning for
whole family support.
If you need help, for yourself or for your family, first try
to find someone you can talk to that you can trust, for
example a close family member or friend, a teacher or
doctor. Also you can log on to our project page at
www.youngcarer.com to see if there is a local young
carers project near you. They will be able to give you
information about the kind of help your family might
be able to get. You can also ring us on 01962 711 511.
The photographs in this book were
taken at the 2005 Young Carers
Festival at YMCA Fairthorne Manor
by Max Alexander and Sue
Campbell.
Useful Websites
www.fairthorne.co.uk –to find our more about the work
of the YMCA Fairthorne Manor
www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk –Disabled Parents
Network is a national network for disabled parents.
www.youngcarers.net –The Princess Royal Trust for
Carers website for information, advice and support.
www.youngcarer.com T
heChi
l
dr
en’
sSoci
et
y,Young
Carers Initiative website.
YOUNG CARERS
WHO WE ARE
Young people
Of every kind
Upsetting it may be
Nationalities of all kinds
Grown ups they may look after
Caring people
Always there
Respectable
Extraordinary
Ridiculously kind
SPECIAL PEOPLE
By Sabrina
Gosport and Fareham
Note everyone has enough luck
To smile everyday
Some kids have tough lives
In all sorts of different ways
T
hat
’
swher
eYoungCar
er
scome
to help
To enjoy yourself
You will soon feel better
With your inner self
Then soon you will find
You’
r
es
mi
l
i
ngonyourf
aceandi
n
your mind.
We are from Oaklands hey you
Come and see our view
Our swimming pool is like an ocean
We can make up a great big potion
Under it all we arrive like thunder
We float like a feather
We sink, never
If we jumped off a boat
We would all float
We all care and
Treat everyone fair
We’
r
el
i
kes
i
s
t
er
sandbr
ot
her
s
Just from different mothers
We might speak different languages
But we all eat the same sandwiches
Southampton Young Carers Projects
Oaklands School Group
I used to feel alone
But now I am not
Young Carers is here
To keep me happy safe
They are now like family
That I know and love!!
YOUNG CARERS
WHO WE ARE
Young Carers
Young carers is a group to give young carers some
freedom. Also to have fun.
Our lives can be challenging but at young carers
you can relax and be stress free.
U canf
or
getaboutwhat
’
sgoi
ngonathomeor
school at the youngcar
er
’
scent
r
e.
No one will be left out at young carers.
Gillian is one of the staff you can always talk to her.
Caring is hard work and sometimes you need to
have a rest so go to the young carers.
And never can you get bored at the young carers
centre.
Really hard work to do at the young carers centre.
Everyone always are included.
Round and round remembering what jobs to do
around the house.
Someone will always be there for you and giving you
support.
By Chloe Payne
Young and Truthful
Original people
Understanding
Nice
Giggaly
Caring
Angel
Respectful
Entellignet
Reliable
Sensible
LIFE
HOW WE FEEL
Gothic Poem on Life
Tears of blood drop on my immortal heart
My once fragile world ripped apart
The razor thorns of a stem so tall
That cold lie that said it all
Falling petals from the withering rose
The blood red one, that I chose
The angel cries tears of stone,
I still wonder why I am alone.
Gothic souled with a forsaken heart
And still everything is falling apart
The mask is torn, now where to hide?
I thought I got rid of this emotional side.
I
fyou don’
tfeelwhole,
you can’
tbefree,
Whywon’
tmyLycan s
oulreturn to me?
Theangel’
stearsofs
toneturn cold
Hold on, life gets betterors
oI
’
m told!
!
!
By Gothic Willow (Saz)
Hatred
LOVE IS A POWERFUL FORCE
BUT HATRED IS STRONGER
IT CONSUMES YOU LIKE A CANCER
AND GROWS JUST THE SAME
PEOPLE LIVE TO LOVE
I LOVE TO HATE
IFTHERE’
SONE THING
THAT LINKS LOVE AND HATE
IT’
STHEBURNING YOU FEEL
WITHIN
JUST WAITING TO ERUPT
AND WHEN IT DOES
THERE’
SNO STOPPING IT
LIFE
HOW WE FEEL
Yourl
i
f
eo
rt
he
i
r
’
s
I
t
’
smyl
i
f
egonal
i
vei
tt
ot
hema
x
Got no time any time to relax
F
i
ndoutmyownwa
ynobodye
l
s
e
’
swa
y
Gona find out for myself
Myi
nde
pe
nde
nc
ei
sa
l
lI
’
vegot
Li
vi
ngmyl
i
f
ea
ss
ome
oneI
’
m not
Stop look and listen forget your position
Think about it just try and envision
Your life all around you in one split second
Transparent just look straight through it
Look at the people the people you know
Time to go now and start this show.
Benjamin Brown
Scared
Have you ever been scared of what you might do
Thinking it over, through and through
I
’
mr
eal
l
yscar
edofwhatIcoul
ddo
Sobewar
eIdon’
twantt
ohur
tyou
Butpl
easedon’
tbescar
edbet
weenmeandyou
Just treat me how you want me to treat you.
LIFE
HOW WE FEEL
Defiance
T
h
i
si
swh
a
twe
’
r
et
o
l
d
As we whinge and whine
Too turn back the time
Wi
s
h
i
n
gwed
i
d
n
’
t
Commit the crime
Time keeps turning
Y
o
uc
a
n
’
ts
t
a
r
tl
e
a
r
n
i
n
g
N
o
tkn
o
wi
n
gwh
a
ty
o
u
’
r
ed
o
i
n
g
T
h
e
r
e
’
sn
ot
u
r
n
ing back now
Y
o
uj
u
s
two
n
’
tl
a
s
t
Detention
I
’
mt
r
apped
Helpless
No escape
Just sat
Silence
Waiting
Going insane
Please help
Get me out
Lost the plot
Can’
tgoon
No way out
Guards all around
Passing back and forth
Eyes not on me
Forget this
Got to leave
No chance
Not stopping me now
Bye bye
Too late to see
LIFE
HOW WE FEEL
Anger
Anger is the colour of blood
Anger taste of hot spices
Anger smells of a damp subway
Anger looks like my brother having a temper tantrum
Anger sounds like someone stomping up the stairs
Anger feels like your heart is going to burst.
By Ashley Quarterman
The waterfall of tears ran down
her cheeks.
The plump redness of sore eyes
made her look meek.
The dark hollow of pain consumed
her heart.
The shock of reality piercing her
like a dart.
The slightly parted lips not
revealing her voice.
The dryness of her throat not
leaving her much choice,
The paleness of her skin making
her like a ghost.
The balanced fear in the cheeks
Herknowi
ngt
hatnow s
hecoul
dn’
t
boast.
The reflection of that mirror
Told all truthfully
There could be no more lies
That person was me
Shani
LIFE
HOW WE FEEL
Life
Some people say that life is a bitch and then you die.
Sot
her
e’
snopoi
nti
nat
t
empt
i
ngt
ot
r
y.
Then there are people that say life is great.
Anddon’
tbel
i
evet
hechanceofi
tbei
ngt
ool
at
e.
Then some say life is what you make it.
But would people really choose to make their life shit?
Do our choices make us what we can?
Or is everyone set to live out a plan?
Is there really a reason for everything?
And is it to learn from our mistakes again and again?
If every choice we make decides our future,
T
henwhywhenwemakeachoi
cedon’
twes
eet
hebi
gpi
ct
ur
e?
If someone was having a great life and suddenly chose to die,
Was it their own choice, or was that how their path was suppose to lie?
Are we really going to hit a dead end?
Or will we keep living again and again?
Does every choice lead to a fork in the road?
Or does it have no splits and just shift into a different mode?
If we were able to turn back time,
Would changing the past really make everything fine?
If we could erase every bad memory we have endured
Would it just happen later to make us learn for sure?
Do the bad memories really makes us learn?
Do they help us survive, or make us yearn?
Do we have all the answers to our questions?
Or is the answers we have just suggestions?
Life can feel confusing and fake,
And sometimes you feel just like taking a break.
Somet
i
mespeopl
ef
eelt
heycan’
tgoon,
But everyone should know they have the power to stay strong.
Life will always have its ups and downs
Ands
omet
i
mesyoucangets
ol
os
tyouf
eelyou’
l
l
neverbef
ound.
But people who hide away will never see,
You have to live life, learn from it and endure it to ever get to feel FREE!!
By Sara Thomson
LIFE
HOW WE FEEL
Don’
tKnow Why?
Why, why, why do I always want
whatIcan’
thaveIt
r
ys
ohar
dbut
t
hat
’
snotenough,ever
ydayIt
r
yand
move on some how your still there in
myheadandwhyIdon’
tknow.
It
hi
nkofyoual
otdon’
tknow whyIt
r
y
nott
oIdon’
twantt
obuti
t
’
s
hard when I know you feel the same
I know because you told other people
don’
tk
now why.
Why not me you should tell me after all
youdon’
tknow whatcanhappenIknow
a boy once that done the same his
moved I bet he regrets it now.
Goodbye you all gotta go but just
think go with the flow or you might
neverknow whyIdon’
tknow l
ett
hat
that special someone know and in
the end you will both know
2 all my readers luv you all remember
share that love around xxx
I
t
’
shar
dt
okeepmyt
emperwhen
you’
r
emaki
ngt
hi
ngsi
nt
hemake-it den
you’
r
est
r
uggl
i
ngsoyou ask for help
she ignores you, help someone else until
you want to get a knife and kill!
You shout and scream, jump up and
down
End up looking like a clown.
Butshewon’
thel
pyou,t
houghyou’
r
e
next in the queue.
The person behind you is more
interesting.
So you fiddle with what you are making
unt
i
lyouf
i
ndi
t
’
sbr
eaki
ng
so you throw it down and storm off and
away
swearing never to come back on any day.
By Annie
LIFE
HOW WE FEEL
The Battle
The King was fighting a battle,
Over the dusty dunes
His eyes were hollows of madness
He looked down at his bracelet and runes
His warriors were falling rapidly
Down the slippery sandy banks
But he fought with the force of a lion
Through the enemies well armed ranks
He killed a lot of his enemy
And knocked some down from the legs
They cracked some splendid spears
‘
Wear
ewi
nni
ngt
hebat
t
l
e’hes
ai
d
‘
Weneedr
ei
nf
or
cement
s
’t
hear
mybegant
os
hout
A berserk soldier ran wildly
And gave them each a clout
After a lot of stabbing
The king got cut around the thigh
But he hardly made a fuss
Hedi
dn’
tl
etof
fonecr
y
So he staggered away down the warpath
To tend to his bloody wound
The task was not easy
Because of the blistering noon.
Then the two enemy kings
Came up, face to face
To fight the ultimate battle
Of the human race
They hit each other with swords
And whipped each other around the head
With one more blow each
They both fell dead!
FRIENDS
WHO WE NEED
Friends to the end
We’
r
ef
r
i
endst
ot
heend
Mes
s
ageI
’
mt
r
yi
ngt
os
end
We’
r
ef
r
i
endst
ot
heend,
Fights happen when your friends
We’
r
ef
r
i
endst
ot
heend
Don’
tl
ett
hef
r
i
ends
hi
pend
We’
r
ef
r
i
endst
ot
heend
Give time to let it mend
We’
r
ef
r
i
endst
ot
heend
Don’
tchangeol
df
ornew f
r
i
ends
We’
r
ef
r
i
endst
ot
heend
Just try and extend
We’
r
ef
r
i
endst
ot
heend
Bend over backwards for a friend
We’
r
ef
r
i
endst
ot
heend
True friendships never end
Refugee
Hecan’
ts
peakawor
dofEngl
i
s
h
But the picture he paints needs no
words
In it he puts:
Guns
Bright orange explosions
A house with no roof
Children with no shoes
And his mother and father
Lying still as though asleep.
At the bottom he puts himself, tiny and
dark,
With a puddle of blue tears at his feet.
Somehow the fat yellow sun at the top
of the page has a smile on its face.
By Samantha Hawkins
Good Happy Kind Sunny Nike
Colourful Cool
We play on his bike
He lets me play in his back garden.
FRIENDS
WHO WE NEED
My Friend
My friends name is Sam
He is a boy
We play on bikes
I play with him every weekend
He means so much to me because we
Never argue.
By Scott
Poem
The boy nick my books,
Then chuck them on the floor!
As I walk down the corridor
He thumping me.
My arms are all bruised,
And so is my knee!
All the nasty things he says,
And the way he bullies me!
They all get me into trouble,
ButIknow Idi
dn’
tdoi
t
,
But what will become of me!
I am so unhappy
My Mum think I am ill,
ButIr
eal
l
ydon’
twantt
ogot
os
chool
Because of him!
My friend says I must report him
Else things will stay the same,
I tell my teacher
Whos
aysI
’
l
l
s
t
ophi
sgame!
At last things are better,
He has left the school,
I should not have kept this quiet,
I know I am a fool!
And now I even enjoy my lessons
Anddon’
tf
eeli
l
l
nomor
e,
I
’
m gl
adt
hati
ti
sal
l
over
!
Anonymous
FRIENDS
WHO WE NEED
Friends
The path feels so near,
But the road is so unclear
Everything is confusing
And nothing seems amusing
What you thought was real
I
s
n’
thow youf
eel
.
You need to take it step-by-step
But even then you feel at your depth,
You have to keep following the tract
Everything seems to be slipping away
And you feel like giving up everyday
But you decide to hold on,
And you just seem to hop a long
But then everything breaks down
And you start to wear a frown
You feel like giving up,
Cosyou’
veputupwi
t
ht
oomuch
But then a friend knocks on your door
And you feel like holding on once more.
Your friends are the difference between life and death
And they give you air on your last breath
A true friend is someone you can open up to
And when you feel down they know what to do
A true friend is always there when you need them
And help you through the bad again and again
But you need to be there for them too,
Andt
hebadt
i
mesyou’
l
l
hel
pt
hem t
hr
ough
So always make sure you have a shoulder to cry on
F
oral
l
t
hos
et
i
mesyouj
us
tcan’
thol
don!
By Sara Thomson
NATURE
FOR WHAT WE SEE
Thoughts of a Young Carer Living in Thanet
I lie awake in the middle of the night,
Wondering if I will ever see the light,
But as the golden sun rises in the sky,
And as the darkness starts to die,
All the worryfull tears fill my eye,
I wonder if I will ever know why.
I
t
’
sl
i
keas
af
ewi
t
habr
okenkey,
And inside there is me,
And there I sit all alone,
Thinking will I ever be known,
There is a star in this safe of mine,
Will it ever have the chance to shine.
As the sky fades into light blue,
And as the people who never knew,
Start rising from their beds,
It all starts to clear in my head,
I have to help this star shine,
The responsibility is all mine.
Andt
hat
’
swhatIdoal
l
day,
And guess what, I find a way,
The lock of the safe finally breaks,
And my star finally awakes
Then out into the world we go,
And this bright light is mine to show.
Should have listened
Have you ever sat and listened
By the river as the water glisten
With the moon out high
Way up in the sky
Have you ever sat and listened
By the sea sat under a tree
With the sun out high
Way up in the sky
Have you ever sat and listened
Buti
t
’
st
ool
at
ewi
t
hyourmat
e
Telling them lies
As they start to cry
NATURE
FOR WHAT WE SEE
A Star
Young Carers might be what we are
ButIt
hi
nkwe’
r
emor
el
i
k
eas
t
ar
We light the dark and twinkle brightly
Being happy and being sprightly
Then in the day we disappear
Being seen is what we fear
Acting normal, Coping well
Hi
di
ngal
l
,pl
eas
edon’
tt
el
l
My mum and me we are the best
She does her bit I do the rest
We live our life and we get by
It can be tough we sometimes cry
I
t
’
snotal
waysf
ai
rbutwe’
l
l
al
waysbet
her
e
Children that share and children that care
At t
heendoft
hedayi
t
’
l
l
beni
ght
We’
l
l
comeoutagai
nandwewi
l
l
s
hi
nebr
i
ght
YESas
t
art
hat
’
swhatwear
e
Window
In the kitchen waiting
For the kettle to boil
You gaze upon the garden
In the morning haze.
You see your reflection
Staring back at you.
As you stare at
The morning dew
As the kettle boils
The steam mists the window
And you watch yourself
Slowly disappear.
By Gemma
Southampton Young Carers Project
NATURE
FOR WHAT WE SEE
Wilderness
There is a monkey in me
Jumping around up for a challenge
Climbing around
There is a puppy in me
Cute and harmless wanting a
Hug, being caring.
By Gemma
Aged 13
Rainbow, rainbow in the sky
Just how far or just how high
At the end of your colours
Could there be a pot of gold
Waiting for me?!
L
i
f
ei
s
n’
twhatyouwi
s
hf
or
I
t
’
swhatyouGET
So be grateful for it
Don’
tt
akei
tf
orgr
ant
ed.
Why fly
I wish I could fly
Just fly right by
To watch passers by
From way up high
Woul
dn’
ti
tbegr
eat
If you could fly
Right up in the sky
Why oh why
Can’
twefly
People die to fly
Butal
aswewer
en’
t
meant to fly
Way up high
Up in the sky
Butpl
eas
edon’
t
Try and fly
You might die
And people will cry
M U M S, D A D S, B R O T H E R S, S I S T E R S
FOR WHOM WE CARE
A Tiger, A Tiger
Hey mummy would you get me a tiger
T
hey’
r
ebi
gcut
eandcuddl
yandt
heydon’
tdr
i
nkci
der
,
T
hey’
r
eyourf
avour
i
t
ecolours orange and black,
I
ft
her
e’
snor
oom i
nt
hehous
e,I
’
l
l
keepi
toutback.
At
i
gerIt
houghtt
hat
’
swhatyous
ai
d,
I
t
’
l
lmes
supt
hehous
eandmes
supt
hebed
Andwho’
l
ll
ookaf
t
eri
twheni
teat
susal
lup
I
’
mt
el
l
i
ngyou,you’
r
ebet
t
erof
fwi
t
hapup.
But mummy they are giving them away at the zoo
And when it needs the toilet it can go to the loo
I
fanyr
obber
sbr
eaki
ni
t
’
l
l
s
car
et
hem away
So mummy what do you say.
I
’
l
lt
el
lyouwhatIsay
Youcanf
os
t
erbuther
ei
tcan’
ts
t
ay
Whydon’
tIphoneup the pet shop and ask them for a cat
Cosi
tcans
t
ayher
eandyoucanf
eedi
tt
i
l
li
t
’
sf
at
But mummy I draw tigers all the time
I just wish it could be mine
I
t
’
l
l
keepyoucompanywhenIgot
os
chool
And maybe I could teach it how to play pool
Teach it how to play pool are you mad
Now you’
r
et
r
yi
ngt
ober
eal
l
ybad
Now go to your room and watch TV
And will you please stop nagging me.
So Mum is that a yes or no
Please Mum I really need to know
Ast
hey’
r
egoi
ngawayr
eal
l
yf
as
t
AndIdon’
twantt
ogett
here last.
Ok Ok the answer is yes!
You better hurry up and get dressed
And you better promise to behave from now on
Or that tiger will soon be gone
OkIpr
omi
s
eIpr
omi
s
eI
’
l
l
behave
And even promise to bathe
SoI
’
mr
eal
l
yal
l
owedat
i
ger
Oh mummy, a tiger, a tiger.
By Sara Theresa Thomson
M U M S, D A D S, B R O T H E R S, S I S T E R S
FOR WHOM WE CARE
Myf
r
i
endsdon’
tknow whatIam
At home, I look after my Mam
I help with the washing and the cooking too
MyMum s
ays“L
ovei
t
’
sj
us
tmeandyou”
I like to help. It makes me proud.
I also play –but not too loud.
We go out shopping, for the food
My Mum gets tired and in a mood
I give her a hug to show I care
I sometimes think is this all fair.
A young carer is what I am.
Kerry Burns and Tash Braithwaite
The Unknown
My mother got sick when I was 8 but
the doctors could not see. That her smiles
turned to tears but never in front of me.
I would hear her weep through my
bedroom wall but never in front of me. I
wanted her pain to go away to see her
laugh merrily.
Could it be possible for her pain to
disappear then we could laugh merrily.
But I know that is just a dream as she
continues to cry, but never in front of me.
Looking back, now I am 12 and what do I
See,t
hat
’
seas
y.Mam cr
yi
ngbutneveri
n
front of me.
Then Crossroads cam to me what did
Is
ee? T
hat
’
seas
y,chi
l
dr
enj
us
tl
i
keme.
Gavin Howard
M U M S, D A D S, B R O T H E R S, S I S T E R S
FOR WHOM WE CARE
I can remember the day the hospital phoned, I was
scared, nervous and excited. My life would be
t
ur
nedar
ound,butIknew i
twas
n’
tgoi
ngt
obeeas
y.
Mybr
ot
herandIgott
akenawayt
omyDad’
shous
eand
wehadabi
tofacr
y.I
twas
n’
tunt
i
lt
hephone
rang again, we knew what was really going on. They
hadanew l
i
ver
,amat
cht
omyMam’
s
.Hervoi
ceon
the phone made me feel a bit sad, but I knew
she would be better soon. Her voice, she was excited,
but also sounded quite frail.
The operation took twelve hours and that night I
found it hard to sleep. I woke up early wondering if
everything had gone to plan. I was allowed to visit
her, the smile on her face, I had never seen her so
happy. A new mother I thought but there was still
a lot more to be done. She is a lot better now, and
back to work. The progress she has made is
excellent. The one year anniversary has past, but
problems still arrive. There is light at the end of
the tunnel and I am very lucky for mine!
Being a carer is hard because I have to
help loads and it is a lot to handle.
My brother gets scared when he bleeds
so I try to keep him calm by drawing with
him or getting his toys and action figures
or telling him he is a special person.
He likes it when I go to Crossroads
because I always buy him something. I
like caring
for him but not just him everyone!
I
t
’
smademes
eet
hatt
her
ear
eot
her
s
out there just like me. Feeling what I feel
and probably worrying about the same
things.
Hospital appointments, bleeds, lumps,
bump.
AtCr
os
s
r
oadsi
t
’
saboutcomi
ngt
oget
her
.
Sharing that special bond. CARING.
Something that will stay with your forever.
Natasha Taylor-Price
M U M S, D A D S, B R O T H E R S, S I S T E R S
FOR WHOM WE CARE
Words that remind me of my
mum
Calm Nice Happy
Gold and red hair
Nice hands
Lives in a big house
Good hair
Colourful
She looks like me
Sunny
Nice smile
Love Relax
Friendship
Good
By Laiah
My Auntie Lynn and My Cousin
I
t
’
sf
araway
You have to go on an aeroplane
My Little Cousin
Makes me happy.
Sadt
hatIcan’
ts
eeherbecaus
e
T
hey’
r
es
of
araway.
By Rebecca
Cheerful Calm Kind Games Happy
Lonely Upset Sad
It makes me happy seeing them
Aeroplane.
Washington DC America
Baby Smile Colourful Shops
Lots of shops
Never met baby cousin
M U M S, D A D S, B R O T H E R S, S I S T E R S
FOR WHOM WE CARE
My Brother, Will
Give it to Will, I hear them say
You can have it another day
Oh what the hell
He’
snotwel
l
Show it to Will, I hear them say
You can see it another day
Oh what the hell
He’
snotwel
l
Watch it Will, I hear them Say
You can play another day
Oh what the hell
He’
snotwel
l
Crossroads Will, I hear them say
T
as
ha’
sgoi
ngt
hi
sver
yday
Oh what the hell
He’
snotwel
l
Natasha Taylor Price
My Sister
I feel different from all my friends because
of my sister.
People always seem to stare when I go out
with her.
This makes me upset and angry because
t
heydon’
ts
eeherasanor
mal
gi
r
l
.
Somet
i
mesIcan’
tdot
het
hi
ngsIwantt
o
DO.
I really get worried when she goes into
hospital.
This will be happening soon but it will be
goodwhens
hecomesout
,becaus
es
hewon’
t
be in so much pain, which means she will be
happy.
Siobhan Foy
M U M S, D A D S, B R O T H E R S, S I S T E R S
FOR WHOM WE CARE
My Brother
I get upset when kids outside pick on him and
sometimes he plays his music too loud so I can
not get my homework done and sometimes he
gets mad when he can not find his games
because he shouts at me.
When he wants something to eat I need to
help him to turn the oven on and the grill,
microwave and read the numbers and help
him with his dishes too.
People look at him sometimes. I help him
when he can not do things and he plays with
the 2 dogs. Sometimes he needs help with the
dog food tins and can not cut things like
paper and with this temper and he stays in
his bedroom when he comes in from school he
goes straight upstairs for the rest of the day.
Jessica Sales
I feel sad as I look at my sister as she
slowly goes
I
’
mr
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
omi
s
sher
.
She really means the world to me,
where nothing else could really be.
As she lies asleep, inside a dark
down heap.
As I look at her, with a twinkle in my
eye,
Is
ay,”
Pl
eas
edon’
tgo,becaus
eI
’
l
l
cr
y”
Sodon’
tl
eavemeonmyown,
Asyou’
r
et
heonewhobr
i
ngsme
home.
Young Carer
M U M S, D A D S, B R O T H E R S, S I S T E R S
FOR WHOM WE CARE
I feel sad about being a young carer.
I feel happy when my Mam plays with
me.
I help my Mam by doing the washing up.
Going messages for her, and by making
cups of tea and coffee for her.
I worry about my Mam sometimes.
I get angry sometimes because I do
Lots of things for my Mam, things like
Going to the shop for her.
Lauren Duggan
Me and My Sister
My s
i
s
t
ers
he’
ski
nd
And she smiles
Ands
he’
sf
un
She has a big bedroom
On a sunny day it makes me happy
She is good
I love her so much
And she loves me.
By Hanna
Fun
Happy
Good
Sunny
Relax
Makes me happy
Small
Colourful
Love
Nice
Sunny
Big bedroom
Kind
M U M S, D A D S, B R O T H E R S, S I S T E R S
FOR WHOM WE CARE
Brother
I sit there crying why me.
But then I look at my brother and
think, is his life better or worse?
Idon’
tknow hes
i
t
st
her
eonhi
s
own world not taking a care,
not moving, nothing.
I ask hi
m “Whathewant
sf
ort
ea?”
he looks straight past me.
If
eel
l
i
kes
hout
i
ngathi
m “s
peakt
o
me,ans
werme!
”
ButIdon’
t
,Ibi
t
emyl
i
pandgot
o
my room or go out.
Ican’
tt
el
l
myMum s
hehasenoughonher
pl
at
eors
heget
sdepr
es
s
edIcan’
tt
el
l
dad because he walked out years ago!
SoIgoi
nt
omybr
ot
her
’
sr
oom andt
al
k
t
ohi
m hedoes
n’
ts
ayanyt
hi
ng,doanyt
hi
ng,
not a blink so I give up!
Igetdepr
es
s
edal
ot
,dos
t
uf
fIs
houl
dn’
t
.
But when it gets to Wednesday
evening I escape become me let go of my
responsibilities for 2 hours and bit, talk
to people.
T
hi
si
sal
l
t
hankst
oyoungcar
er
sIdon’
t
’know whatwoul
dofhappened
without them.
Love you brother.
My Mum
Anonymous
North Somerset Crossroads
My best friend
Our love will never end
She is there with me through thick and thin
If I had to choose the best person ever she
would win
She’
ss
eent
he good times and the bad
She’
ss
eenmehappyandwhenI
’
ms
ad
She heard my first word
Andevers
i
ncet
hens
he’
shear
d
Hear
dt
het
hi
ngsI
’
vehadt
os
ay
And pointed me in the right way
SowhenI
’
m ups
etIk
now wher
et
ogo
Whatever life may throw
She’
sl
i
keabat who hits the ball
She’
smyemot
i
onal
wal
l
Yeah,s
he’
smyMum
My Mum is a gift to last forever
I hope we will always be together
M U M S, D A D S, B R O T H E R S, S I S T E R S
FOR WHOM WE CARE
Sometimes things happen, it makes me sad.
I am sad when my Mam is sad.
My Mam has been in hospital.
She’
sbeenver
yi
l
l
.
It was very upsetting.
Icoul
dn’
tconcent
r
at
eonmys
chool
wor
k.
I cried and cried, but I told my best friend.
She said she was very sorry for what had
happened.
My Dad was very tired so I made a Sunday
dinner for the family.
I came home from school and my Mam was
there.
I was very happy she was better.
Sam Smyth
Relax Calm Cheerful
Happy Good hair
Tree The sun Birds nest
They have a nice smile
Holding hands
My Mum and Brother
They both have a nice smile
This picture makes me relax
Also it makes me cheerful
Its happy and cuddley
The picture makes me calm
The picture is a picture of my mum
and my brother
I like it because its like nature to me.
They have a sense of humour.
This picture is of a tree, a boy, a lady,
birds
And the sun.
By Kirsty
Some of the issues raised by young carers at the 2005 festival, under the
theme Taking Care of Ourselves: mind, body and spirit included:

 Having someone to talk to who understands is very important –we need
more funding for the young carers projects that support us.

 We want society in general to have more understanding of our families
andt
heper
s
onwhoi
sdi
s
abl
edori
l
l
.Peopl
e’
sat
t
i
t
udescanl
eaveus
conf
us
edandf
eel
i
ngl
onel
y.I
t
’
snott
heper
s
onont
heout
s
i
det
hat
count
s
;i
t
’
st
heper
s
onont
hei
ns
i
de.

 Schools really need to know more about young carers and the find of
support we need.
Charity Reg. No 2221124
Copyright TCS 2006
T
heChi
l
dr
en’
sSoci
et
yYoungCar
er
sI
ni
t
i
at
i
veandYMCAF
ai
r
t
hor
neManor
jointly organise the annual National Young Carers Festival. Over the last 6
years, a total of almost 7 500 Young Carers from all over the UK have
attended the festival –the largest annual youth participation event.