Lanarkshire teen who cares for sick mum no longer feels alone thanks to Action for Children

dailyrecord.co.uk:

With a mum who’d been sick since before she was born, Lanarkshire schoolgirl Katie Hughes was, at the age of just nine, responsible for preparing and cooking all evening meals.When Katie was in Primary 5, her mum’s condition deteriorated and, by the time she’d reached high school, she’d be making repeated calls home every day to make sure her mum was coping without her.And, on arriving home after classes, Katie would busy herself in the kitchen to make nutritious meals and ensure her mum was eating properly.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android “I first came into contact with Action for Children when I was 10,” explained Katie, now a 16-year-old S5 pupil at Cardinal Newman High School.“I remember my mum told me I was starting this new group and I didn’t want to go because it was taking me away from her.”Although shy and nervous at first, the caring team at charity Action for Children soon helped Katie to settle.“On the first day, I remember the young carers all sat down in a circle.

We introduced ourselves and talked about who we cared for,” she said.“I made friends with the other young carers there and, even though some of them have moved on, we’re still in touch.

It was really helpful to be around other young people who were going through the same thing as me, because there wasn’t really anyone in