Published 16 October 2025
This National Carers Week we spoke to a young carer to hear some of her personal experiences and challenges.
Being a young carer has meant stepping into a role that many don’t expect someone my age to hold, which can be surprising to people at times! Sometimes people underestimate me because of my age, assuming I don’t understand, or that I’m just “helping out”. However, being a carer is definitely a real responsibility that requires flexibility, maturity, and a lot of resilience. I manage appointments, do the groceries, plan events and travel, provide emotional support, and more, all while juggling my own life. I’m the emergency contact and the person who’s always there, who adapts when plans change. I care because I love, and I show up because I know how much it matters.
Being a young carer can be isolating, especially when others don’t see or recognise what you do, but that’s exactly why visibility matters. Young carers deserve to be seen, supported, and celebrated - and while it’s not always easy, it’s shaped me into someone who’s compassionate, capable and strong.
Caring is about being emotionally present, being relied on, and making decisions that impact someone else’s wellbeing (and your own!). It’s about being there for someone in more than just the practical sense, like attending appointments or running errands, but emotionally too. As a carer, I’ve learned how to listen, how to show up, and how to be present even when things are hard or when the days are long. Sometimes it’s exhausting, sometimes it’s lonely, but the connection keeps me going. I’ve become someone who notices the small things, who anticipates needs, who understands that love is often shown in consistent actions and the small things. It’s also made me become a strong advocate because I believe that caring, in all its forms, deserves recognition. Whether it’s for a friend, a family member, or someone in the community, caring is a shared passion that keeps all of us going and what turns "everyday" tasks into acts of unconditional love and care.
Caring doesn’t look the same for everyone and that’s something I’ve come to understand with time. In my culture, caring for family and friends is expected and unspoken. It’s woven into daily life but rarely acknowledged as something other than an expectation. That can make it hard to access support, especially when systems or people don’t always recognise unpaid and informal or “non-traditional” caregiving. I’ve faced assumptions about my age, my background, and what I’m “supposed” to be doing. People don’t always see the emotional labour and the constant flexibility that's needed to be a carer. They don’t see the impact it has on education, work, housing and social lives. Because caring isn't properly understood or its definition does not fit into a neat little box, carers face limited opportunities for flexible work, are sometimes refused services and transport, and are not acknowledged by clinicians in decision making. However, I know that diversity in caregiving is a strength. It brings different perspectives, different ways of showing love and different kinds of resilience. I want to see a world where all carers, regardless of age, culture, or who they care for, are recognised and supported. Caring is universal, even if it’s expressed differently, and when we embrace that diversity, we can create a more inclusive, compassionate world.
Despite the challenges, I remain hopeful. Hope gets me through the tough days where support might feel far away or when I’m juggling too much. I would love to see a future where carers, especially young and unpaid ones, are acknowledged and valued - Carers Week and Carers NSW play a huge role in that. They help raise awareness and reduce stigma and discrimination in schools, workplaces and communities. They shine a light on the hidden work we do and remind us that we’re not alone.
I’m hopeful that more people will become “carer aware”, where they understand the emotional and practical weight we carry and offer support without judgment. I’m hopeful that flexible definitions of caregiving will be embraced and that caring for friends or chosen family will be recognised. I’m hopeful that systems will change and become more inclusive for carers. Most of all, I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to discover, recognise and celebrate each other. When carers are supported, everyone benefits, and we build stronger, more compassionate communities - that’s a future worth working toward!
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