18 March 2024
New Forest Young Carers – Heidi
11-year-old Heidi helps her parents care for her 13-year-old brother, who has autism and dyspraxia.
People with dyspraxia often experience difficulty doing physical tasks so Heidi’s brother needs support to live independently.
From three-years-old, Heidi’s parents noticed she was hyper vigilant and would worry about her brother’s safety, particularly whether he would fall and hurt himself.
Heidi often has to put herself and her needs behind her brother’s when he’s having an autistic meltdown or trying to negotiate something new, or complicated, or experiencing sensory overload.
Despite this, she is passionate about helping people to understand her brother’s disability and can be heard telling others of his capabilities.
Heidi’s school referred her to the New Forest Young Carers service aged seven, and she has thrived being in an environment with like-minded children, taking part in activities that encourage her to chat to others about being a young carer.
Jenny, Heidi’s mum, said: “Heidi’s confidence has grown significantly since she’s attended Young Carers. She goes to monthly youth club sessions, to do crafts and games, but it’s the fun days out that she loves.
“From boating to Paulton’s Park – they really go above and beyond. Sometimes the whole family are invited!
“I’m so happy to see Heidi make lots of friends and enjoy her childhood. It takes her mind off what’s going on at home but there’s people there she trusts and can confide in if she wants to.
“Young Carers reminds her that her experiences are not typical and that it’s not her imagination, but also that her more unusual and sometimes difficult home life is respected and that this is just how it is for some of us.”
When Heidi was asked if she enjoyed being part of her local Young Carers group, she said: “We have lots of fun doing different activities. In half term we went to Avon Tyrell for a day and did rock climbing, bushcraft and archery.”
As members of Hampshire’s Young Carers Alliance, we work with Hampshire County Council and other agencies to develop a programme of work in line with County and National policies.