Meet Katie, a bright and brave 7-year-old girl who had a big challenge to face.

Katie’s Story

Young girl holding rope

Katie's mum needed a big operation, and it meant she would have a stay in hospital and wouldn't be able to be around for a long time. This worried Katie (age 7 years), who was used to helping her Mum with everything. Katie started feeling lonely and sad, and it was hard for her to cope with being a young carer.

Helping Hands and Friendly Faces:

Katie’s Early Help worker knew she needed support, so they connected her with The Junction Young Carers Service. The team was able to be there to support Katie and her family through this difficult time.

  • Grandmother Power: "We supported Katie’s grandma, who was caring for her while her mom was in the hospital. We checked in regularly to make sure they were both doing okay and offered any help they needed."
  • Friends and Fun: "Katie was feeling a bit isolated, so we helped her join special groups at school where she could meet other kids and have fun. These groups helped her build confidence and learn new skills."
  • One-on-One Support: "We also met with Katie one-on-one to talk about her feelings and help her understand her caring role. We also helped her with some anger concerns she was having."

Katie’s Positive Outcomes:

Thanks to all the support, Katie started to feel much better. She became more confident in school and made some new friends. Katie also learned how to manage her emotions and cope with the stress of being a young carer.

Happy Words from Katie’s Family:

“I am really grateful for all the support you have given,” said Katie’s grandma.

“Thank you for all the support at this difficult time. It was good to know she had support whilst I was in hospital and at home recovering,” said Katie’s mom.

Numbers that Show the Difference and Impact:

  • Katie’s negative feelings decreased from 6 to 10!
  • She became less isolated, with her score improving from 5 to 8.
  • Her confidence soared from 3 to 10!

Katie’s story is a reminder that even when things are tough, there are people who care and want to help. With the right support, even the smallest heroes can overcome big challenges.

Thanks to The Junction Foundation for sharing Katie's case study. For young carers support phone the team on 01642 756000 or email info@thejunctionfoundation.com