I am 13

Hi, my name is Natalie and I live in Victoria. I am 13 years old. I am a young carer for my younger sister and Mum.

Some of the things I do as a young carer are are packing lunches, making food, getting my little sister dressed. Then I go to school. Me and my older sister quite often have to walk to the bus stop as neither of my parents can drop us off. After school we help doing household chores, doing the dishes, laundry, cooking, riding to the shops of necessities. In the evening, I help my younger sister out by helping her with puzzles, playing games like hide and seek, playing her songs.

Changes that have happened in my life since COVID-19 have been not being able to see my family as often . During this time I have enjoyed having a bit of time off of my busy schedule, but have missed actually being at school and seeing my friends and family as well as travelling. For me to study from home, I didn’t have to buy anything to study from home. Studying from home has been challenging because it isn’t fun and it’s hard to work without the help of my teachers. All of my learning was taking place my room.

One of the first things I have done since the restrictions have eased is spent time out and about in the city. If something similar like this happened again, I would advise other young to just stay strong because we’ll get through this. .

Other stories

How the Young Carers Bursary will help me

Hi, my name is Katrine and I provide care for my my youngest sister and my mum. I have been a young carer for 10 years, my sister has a severe intellectual disability and severe autism; my mum has fibromyalgia. I provide care because I love my family and I don’t want to see them […]
Read full story

My brother taught me

I’m Amy, I’m 19 and I live with my mum in Shepparton, Victoria. I get up and make breakfast. There are times when I help her get dressed in the morning. I make sure she has lunch, and then at night,  make sure she has her medicine. I’m also a carer for my grandfather. He […]
Read full story

No such thing as normal

I am a 15 year old carer. I care for my little sister who has autism and my dad who has depression. As well as them I have to take care of myself as I have anxiety. Since I was little I have grown up teaching my sister many things that most people can do […]
Read full story