a young carer typically spends 20-50 hours every week looking after a parent or relative

One in four are bullied at school because of their role as a carer

one in three say they skip school most weeks

Nearly half say that nobody at school is aware that they are A carer

I don't know about you, but I find that video pretty emotional viewing. What strikes me most of all is how grown-up and responsible a six-year-old can sound.

At one level it is utterly heartwarming, and yet also incredibly sad, because we all know that in an ideal world, she wouldn't have to. There are another 700,000 young people, just like Lili, but sadly too few of them are getting the support they need and deserve. This isn't just because of lack of resources; part of the problem for young carers is that they are hidden from view. 

Often the young people themselves, and sometimes the adults they care for, are reluctant to admit what's going on to those outside the family. So many of these kids have been doing this for so long, from so young, that they don’t even realise that they ARE carers. Often the connections between social services for adults and children are poor, so they fall through the cracks of the system.

It sounds bad, and it IS bad. The good news is that the Carers Trust is actively working to identify and support children like Lili. 

Statistically, if there isn't a young carer living on your street, there probably is one a five minute walk from where you live. Can you really not afford a few quid to give them at least a chance at having some kind of childhood? DONATE NOW on the massive buttons that I have littered across this site! Ooh, here's one now!