Meet Keira - Carers Week 2023
Keira, who lives in rural mid-Wales, cares for her mum who has a spinal injury.
The schoolgirl helps with the cooking and cleaning at home, and very often helps her mum Tracy with her personal care.
Keira is speaking out about her experiences to coincide with Carers Week, which runs from 5-11 June 2023.
Outside of school, Keira’s weekly sessions at Rangers – the Girlguiding section for 14 to 18-year-olds – is the only regular chance that Keira gets to hang out with her friends.
“I love going to Rangers because it gives me an opportunity to be silly, have fun and laugh with my friends each week. As a young carer that’s so important.
It’s definitely my favourite night of the week as it gives me a break. Every other night I go straight home after school.”
With her mum sustaining her injury before she was born, Keira has grown up always helping her.
A lone parent, Tracy has another daughter – who is 16 years older than Keira – who lives near Hastings.
Living in rural Powys near the Eryri National Park, Keira and her mum live two miles away from their nearest neighbour and their closest supermarket is a 40-mile round trip.
While Keira has never known things to be any other way, she is aware that her life is different to most other teens.
“I have a lot of responsibility at home and have helped around the house for as long as I can remember,” she said. “Most of my friends aren’t young carers and they have a lot more time to themselves. It’s funny when they randomly say that they are going to stay in town after school because I can’t do that.
“I used to worry a lot about my mum when I was at school, but I’ve learned to cope with it better now I’m older.”
Keira started in Girlguiding as a Rainbow aged five, and then moved through the Brownies and Guides sections, before becoming a Ranger.
She attends a Rangers unit close to her school in Llanidloes, which is 25 miles away from her home.
We do loads of fun activities at Rangers,” said Keira. “In the last few weeks alone, we’ve done henna body art, made resin coasters and had a visit from a reptile keeper and his animals, along with community stuff like litter picks.”
Keira’s mum Tracy says she couldn’t be prouder of Keira.
“A lot of kids Keira’s age can’t even boil an egg whereas she is able to do the cooking, cleaning and she mows the lawn. She is an amazing young person, and I am blessed.
“Growing up she has always come to medical appointments with me. She has watched me go in MRI machines and been to physio sessions.
“She regularly helps me to do things like wash my hair, get dressed and shower, depending on my physical capability. She is very laidback, but I dare say she does get overwhelmed at times.”
With school a one hour 20 minutes bus trip away from home, Keira leaves the house at 7.20am and doesn’t get home until 4.50pm.
“I potter as best I can while Keira is at school,” said Tracy. “It’s a long day for her but when she gets home, she always helps me. When it’s a Rangers night, she doesn’t get home until about 9pm, but I’m happy because she gets so much from it.”
For Keira, a highlight of being in Girlguiding are the trips away. She has enjoyed a number of breaks, including camping holidays and a stay in Paris.
She is currently fundraising so that she can go to Switzerland this summer on a once-in-a-lifetime trip with Girlguiding Cymru.
“As much as I absolutely appreciate everything Keira does for me, Girlguiding gives her the chance to just be a kid,” said Tracy. “When they go away, she can roll in the grass and just enjoy herself.”
Keira – who is currently considering a number of future career options including becoming a marine biologist – said: “Girlguiding has helped me believe that girls can do anything whatever their background. I’ve had so many opportunities to try different things and I can’t wait for what’s next.”
Kate Williams, leader of 1st Llanidloes Rangers, said:
“It is a pleasure to have Keira in our unit. She really does make the most of the opportunities that Girlguiding has to offer. Our girls all seem to get a lot out of the meetings, especially as we are in a rural area with not many other things for young people to do. However, for Keira, it is even more important, and I feel privileged to be part of something that means so much to her.”
Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign to celebrate and recognise the vital contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million carers. Learn more about Carers week here