Young Carers Action Day 2026 took place on Wednesday 11th March, with the theme “Fair Futures for Young Carers”. It is about making sure every young carer has the same chances to learn, grow, and thrive as their peers.
Meet Weronika Jasek, a student here at Middlesbrough College who has shared her experience as a young carer.
From a young age, Weronika took on responsibilities many children never had to face. Growing up as a young carer for her mum, caring was never something separate from her life; it was part of who she was and how she grew up.
Weronika said: “I have been a young carer to my mam for as long as I can remember. Caring never felt like a separate role. It was the shape of my life, woven into everything I did.
“From an early age I took on responsibilities most kids never thought about. While other children focused on school or spending time with friends, my thoughts often revolved around my mam’s wellbeing. I remembered her medication, cooked meals or sat beside her when she needed someone to talk to.
“These moments shaped me deeply. They taught me to listen not only to what people say but how they say it. I learned to listen with my heart as much as my ears.”
While Weronika worked hard to balance school life with her responsibilities at home, it sometimes felt like she was living in two very different worlds.
“At school I blended in with everyone else. I smiled, laughed at the right times and followed what was expected. Outside I looked like any other kid; but at home things were different.
“I carried on responsibilities that made me grow faster than most people around me. Some days it felt like I was watching life through a pane of glass. I was present but slightly removed from the world around me.
“Friends talked about small worries such as missed appointments or small arguments. I listened carefully. I cared about what they were saying, but I also knew my world carried a different kind of weight. Sometimes it felt like I was living between two worlds. The surface conversations of everyday life and the deeper realities that shaped who I was.”
Despite the challenges, Weronika developed patience, emotional maturity and resilience.
“Being a young carer meant learning lessons earlier than most. I learned patience in quiet ways. I waited through long days, solved problems that had no quick solutions, and kept going even when things felt overwhelming.
“There were moments when playtime paused. Childhood felt interrupted by responsibilities that could not wait. Yet the joy of those moments was never completely lost. It existed alongside the seriousness of life.
“Through it all I learned how to be strong without becoming hard. Strength is not about being unbreakable. It is about holding firm while still remaining kind.”
Looking back, Weronika says one of the most important things she learned is understanding the love behind everything her mum did.
“Sometimes my mam worries that she took my childhood away. I can see why she feels that way. Life was not always easy for us, and she often wishes she could have given me more carefree days. But when I look back, I do not see something that was taken away. I remember the love behind everything she did.
“There were still hugs, laughter, bedtime stories and moments that filled our home with warmth. Those memories matter just as much, maybe even more, because they showed me the strength of our bond. What she gave me was not a loss of childhood; she gave me resilience.”
Through her experiences, Weronika says she has gained a deeper understanding of empathy, strength and the importance of supporting the people we love.
“Caring for her showed me what empathy truly means long before I ever knew the word for it. It taught me courage, patience and the quiet strength that comes from standing beside someone you love.
“Being a young carer shaped me in ways that many people never saw. But those experiences gave me something lasting. A deep understanding of connection and the power of simply being there for someone.
“Love I learned is not just a feeling. It is something you show every day through the choices you make. Even though my path looked different from many others, it gave me something I carry with pride. The knowledge that strength and kindness can grow side by side.”
Weronika’s story is a powerful reminder that the challenges we face can shape who we become. Compassion, resilience and love often grow strongest in the most unexpected places.
If you are a young carer or want support while studying, Middlesbrough College offers a range of services.
Find out how we can support you at Middlesbrough College here.
Everyone deserves a fair chance to thrive.