"Because I Care"

To mark #YoungCarersAwareness day we wanted to introduce you to Adara, who helps to care for her Nanna, Trish, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2019.

We sat down and spoke to Adara to talk about life as a young carer, and how we have offered support and help to them both. 

Pictured: Adara and Trish

Adara told us: “I love my Nanna so much. I don’t see what I’m doing as being a young carer because it’s not hard work, I love being around her.

I visit my Nanna in-between my college timetable. I help with things like making the bed, sorting out my Nannas tablets, making cups of tea and painting her nails. We eat together, we watch TV, we relax with face masks; but we also support each other emotionally.

We have a really close relationship so we can both talk about how we are feeling, without judgement or being scared to be open.

My Nanna tries to encourage me to have time off and have fun, but it’s what I want to be doing. I’ve always been a caring person.

When my Nanna got the diagnosis it was really hard at first, and I was so upset. We talk about the future and it’s really helped me to be more accepting of what’s happening, and I want to help.

When we were first told about Teesside Hospice I think we both felt a bit uneasy because we thought the hospice was going to be a sad place and scary. But it really isn’t. People shouldn’t be afraid to go.

When my Nanna first started going to the hospice she told me about what it was like. She said she always gets a really warm welcome and that people can’t do enough for her. She loves the craft room and the pamper sessions, she even compared it to a spa!

I’ve been to the drop-in service at the hospice, on a Thursday. It was nice to see where my Nanna goes, and to see that she’s happy there.

The nurses were great with me too, they let me know that they are always here if I need to talk to someone. Knowing that they are around is a great support for me.

I want to say thank you to the hospice, for making my Nanna feel so happy and comfortable. For me, that’s what it’s all about.

Speaking about her granddaughter, Trish said: “I love her so much. I can’t even put into words how much I love her. I love being around her and she’s so good to me. She encourages me to eat when my appetite isn’t the best, she helps me with putting cream on my legs and she helps me to relax. I couldn’t be without her.

I do try and tell her she needs to spend more time with her friends, I don’t want her missing out on things.

I like knowing that Adara can relax when I’m at the hospice on a Wednesday. It’s such a wonderful place. The atmosphere there is so different to what I thought it would be, it’s so cheerful and full of laughter.

I really look forward to going. Even if I wake up on a morning and I’m tired, I always make the effort to go.

I just want to say thank you to the hospice and to Adara, she’s my angel.”

If you care, we care.

In the UK, as many as one in five children are young carers. They do such an amazing job, and we want to say a huge thank you to each and every one of them for everything that they do. 

Looking after others can be rewarding, but it can also be tough. If you need support, we’re here for you.