My Life as a Young Carer: Searching for Belonging

Being a young carer is hard, but being one in a new country makes it feel even lonelier. I care for my sibling, who has a disability, and in my culture, disability is often seen as a stigma. Moving to a new country, I hoped things would be different, but people still stare, and the shame I feel—though I know it’s wrong—just doesn’t go away.

Every day, I wake up early to help my sibling, then rush to school, where I try to be like everyone else. But I’m not. My friends don’t understand why I can’t come to parties or hang out. They don’t know what it’s like to carry so much responsibility. It’s disappointing—moving here was supposed to be a fresh start, but I still feel out of place, like I don’t belong anywhere. 

I feel torn between two worlds. At home, I’m a caregiver, doing things that kids my age don’t usually have to think about. Outside, I’m trying to fit into a world that doesn’t really see me, where disability is something uncomfortable and unspoken, just like back home. I struggle to find where I fit in—who I am outside of being a carer.

Some days, the weight of it all is too much. I just want to be a regular kid, to feel like I belong, to not have to carry the disappointment of a life that feels so different from everyone else’s. But then I remind myself how strong I’ve become. I’ve learned patience, resilience, and empathy—things most people don’t develop until much later.

Finding Belonging and Support

What young carers like me need is more than just understanding—we need real support. Schools could do more to recognise the struggles of young carers by offering flexible schedules or mental health resources. Mentorship programs could help us connect with others who’ve walked the same path, helping us find our identity beyond caregiving.

We deserve to be seen and supported, and with the right help, we can find our place in this world, both as carers and as ourselves.