Sixteen-year-old Meghan attends Action for Children’s Young Carers in Pembrokeshire. It gives her a break from her caring duties, but hundreds of thousands of ‘hidden’ young carers will not be getting vital support this summer.

Meghan helps her parents look after her 12-year-old sister, Mia, who is autistic, has a learning disability, and is limited verbally. Their parents work opposite shifts as a nurse and a police officer, so Meghan’s support with Mia is invaluable. It can include tasks like getting her out of bed, supervising bath-time and playing games, as well as being an emotional support to Mia.

Meghan said: “I didn't realise I was a young carer until a couple of years ago, when my sister’s social worker brought it up. It can feel really lonely, especially when people don't understand.

“Summer holidays can be very hard. All my friends go off on holiday or are out and about the whole time. That just isn’t an option for me, and I can feel isolated at times.

“Attending young carers has been a real lifeline to me. It feels like I can focus on myself without worrying about anything else.”

It’s estimated there are over 1 million young carers aged 11-16 across the UK who help care for a family member with an illness or disability, but figures from 141 local authorities in England and Wales show that just 84,256 young carers under the age of 18 were registered, illustrating just how many could be flying under the radar.

Laurie Ryall, National Director for Action for Children in Wales said: “We see firsthand in our services just how vital access to specialist support is for young carers.

“It gives them a chance to have fun and be a child, and to meet other young people in similar situations.

“We also know the loneliness, anxiety and stress that can be placed on their shoulders, particularly during the long summer holidays when they’re not at school getting that social time out of the home.

“Services for young carers also give support workers an opportunity to spot problems early before they hit crisis point.

“Governments in Wales and across the UK must ensure councils have sufficient funding so that all young carers have access to these essential services.”

Singer-songwriter Charlotte Church is adding her voice to this call:

“Two years ago I had the absolute privilege of working with Action for Children and its Young Carers choir, a group of young carers aged 6 to 19 who found joy and escape through music. It was about connection, healing and release. For these brilliant children it was a way for them to have their own time, even for just a moment.

“It’s truly invaluable. But here is the hard truth, not enough young carers are getting that support. Governments across the UK must step up to make sure all local councils have the resources they need to reach these young people. They shouldn’t have to sacrifice their own childhoods to hold their families together.”