A YOUNG carers service has made a big impact on the life of a North Craven girl.

Young carer Esther Rhodes, nine, of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, helps look after mum Nicky, 43, who has MS.

Esther, who wants to be a teacher when she grows up, takes part in groups and activities provided by the Carers’ Resource young carers service.

Esther said: “I really like the parties and the trips away. I especially liked making the radio play.

“I get to talk to other people and meet other young carers who help look after their parents and it makes me feel like I am not doing it by myself.”

She admits being a young carer can be tough, and said: “Sometimes not having so much time to do what I want is hard.

“My mum doesn’t always have a lot of energy and she can get very tired. If I help her, she saves her energy so she can have a good day and then we have lots of fun together.”

Esther, a pupil at Horton-in-Ribblesdale Primary School, helps out around the house, makes breakfast and ensures she and brother Edward are ready in time for school, makes lunch for the family on non-school days, helps mum while out shopping and makes ‘lots of cups of tea for mum’.

Dad Jonty, a designer for a cabling company, says being involved with the young carers service has helped the whole family.

“It has had a very positive effect on us, knowing there is support structure in place for the children is a huge relief,” he said.

“We are very aware on how much the children do to help and having that opportunity for the children to be assessed for any impact it may be having on them, meeting other children in similar situations, and, being recognised as young carers alleviates any worries we have about the children feeling different.”