It is against the natural order of things when a child has to care for a parent. But this is normality to many families in Gloucestershire.
Young Carers are, in many ways, responsible for their parents. Throughout the county there is a hidden army of young people who are experiencing role-reversal, concerned for their mother or father's health, looking after their siblings or even worrying about how the next electrity bill is paid.
A 7 year old might be monitoring her mother's medication, carrying the burden of responsibility for ensuring that depression doesn't overcome reason and lead her mother to overdose - again.
A 9 year old might be looking after the needs of her baby brother whenever she is at home from school because her mother is so infirm that she can barely change a nappy.
A 14 year old could be dealing with her father's MS which has left him unable to walk and so has to be lifted into bed, carried to the bathroom by his daughter.
While Gloucestershire Young Carers focuses on the needs of the young carer, the chairty is also currently considering ways in which its workers and volunteers can support the whole family. A young person is not an isolated individual and, often, the fears and worries of the parent can impact strongly on the child.
How must it be to have to ask your child to tend to your most personal needs?
How frustrating must it feel to be phsically unable to pick up your daughter and cuddle her like other mothers?
Margaret suffers form MS. MS affects the joints of the body making it difficult to walk, drive, write or even eat. She is given steroids at regular intervals which temporarily boost her body's strength to enable her to live more easily.
Her 10 year old son David does everthing within his power to help his mum - because he loves her.
But it breaks Margaret's heart to know that she has to rely upon David for the simplest of activities. Sometimes she will just break down, unable to stand the fact that she can't enjoy ordinary activities with her son. Other times she is so furstrated that her release is anger. She just can't help it - her anger is often channelled at her son because here is no one else. She snaps at him.
Other days she feels so low that she can barely face the world and just stays in bed. Then guilt sets in......realising that she is missing her son's most precious young years.
Gloucestershire Young Carers would like to be able to reach out to both Margaret and her son. While there are agencies there to help Margaret and the charity is there for David - it is essential that they are supported together.
You can help Gloucestershire Young Carers to establish an outreach service to families that encompasses the needs of both parent and child.