Gemma's Story
Gemma, 13 years old, helps care for her dad who has multiple sclerosis, an illness that affects the nervous system. It means he is severely incapacitated. He can't feed himself or even pick up a cup.
Gemma says "I've been helping to care for my dad for a while now. I've been giving him drinks and food ever since I was little and I started to help move him when I was about eight or nine years old.
On a typical day I help my mum to get my dad out of bed and put him in his chair. I tidy up, give him drinks and help feed him. If it's a day when he's having a shower, I help shower him too.
I wasn't taught how to do any of this - I just got on with it and copied my mum. I think this has meant that I've had to grow up faster because I've had a lot of responsibility from a young age. I dont get particularly fed-up that I have to do it or find it difficult - it's normal to me. I can't imagine not looking after my dad now."
Gemma has had to cope not only with the day to day care of her dad but also with growing up as a young carer. Her friends find it difficult to understand how different her life is.
She says "Some people at school know that my dad's disabled. It's hard for them to understand the responsibility I've got though - I do stuff they wouldn't normally be doing. They don't really understand it until they come to my house and see for themselves. If my dad is ill overnight I get the next day off school because I've had to spend the night in hospital. The teachers understand but sometimes other pupils don't. In the past I've been accused of skiving, which made me feel worse."
Since being introduced to Gloucestershire Young Carers Gemma's life has changed. She is able to mix with people her own age who have one very important thing in common with her - they are all young carers. She doesn't have to explain herself.
She says "You can chill out and it makes you feel like you're not the only one who's doing it. We go on day trips and weekends away. We've been to places like Butlins and Alton Towers - places I wouldn't be able to go to with my dad.
"Gloucestershire Young Carers has shown me that I'm not the only one who helps care for somebody. When I'm older I would like to work in either news or politics so that I can raise awareness about disability issues."