Dedicated to the One I Love

Across Britain, some 50,000 young carers are believed to be caring for a loved one, parent or sibling with a long term illness. Many of the adults cared for experience mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or even dementia.

The consequences on young carers' own physical and emotional health can be significant, forcing many to miss out on the pleasures their peers have the freedom to enjoy. Domestic duties also impact heavily on educational development, keeping some behind other children their age.

We spent two months working with young carers in East Manchester, conducting interviews with them, facilitating creative workshops, and organising photographic portraits with them in their own homes. The resulting work was exhibited at the Central Art Gallery in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.