Surprise request helps young carer

A young carer has found support with her mental health through a surprising request.

How it all began

Isabelle* is 11-years-old and a carer for both her parents. Her mum has a life-limiting illness and her father has recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Isabelle supports her mum with practical tasks such as cooking, dressing and cleaning the home. Isabelle also helps her mum to stay safe at home. The daily caring tasks and the frequent hospital visits impact on Isabelle’s every day life. She has less time to spend with friends or to take part in outings. She spends a lot of time in hospital visiting her mum, which is a lot for an 11-year-old to cope with. Her caring role and awareness of her mum’s life illness has had an impact on Isabelle’s mental health. She has increased anxiety and has begun to have panic attacks.

Making a difference

Bridge Young Carers decided to ask Isabelle what would help her when she was feeling down or stressed.

“A shed,” came the answer.

A grant of £672 was awarded by the Foundation to build a stable base for a summer house in Isabelle’s back garden. A place where she can go and relax and gather her thoughts.

With thanks to you

” I enjoyed helping painting, building and finally putting my personal touches to my shed. Since the shed has been built I have enjoyed showing it off to my friends, spending time with my music and generally giving me a place to go when things are getting on top of me, ,like a bad day at school. This shed has been a fantastic help for me and my parents, as it gives me somewhere to go away from the house, which now has a lot of medical equipment, and it gives me a break from caring.”

*names have been changed