Young adult carer set to pursue dream career in mental health

A young adult carer who has accessed support from CAMHS partner, Barnardo’s Action with Young Carers, is pursuing her dream career as a mental health nurse after securing a place at Bangor University.

Photo by Dave Brownlee www.davebrownlee.com

Jamie Boyd, 18, became a young carer at the age of eight,  looking after her mum who has mental health problems. Initially helping out with the family’s cleaning and shopping,  by the time Jamie was in high school she was managing the family finances and accompanying her mum to medical appointments.

The support Jamie received from Barnardo’s Action with Young Carers has been invaluable; as well as giving her the opportunity to mix with other young carers in similar situations to share experiences, Barnardo’s also provided practical support and advice, including help with making plans to go away to university.

Inspired by her own situation and the support she and her family received, Jamie’s vision was to qualify as a mental health nurse.  She said: “I’m delighted with my results and can’t wait to get started on my course now. It’s great to have the assurance that Barnardo’s will continue to support my family, particularly my brother who will now step into my shoes as my mum’s main carer. Without this support, I wouldn’t have been able to follow my dream of going to university.”

Jamie is also a talented singer-songwriter, and an active member of Merseyside Youth Association’s RAISE  young people’s participation team, performing at the NOW Festival amongst other events. She’s currently working on her second EP.  You can hear some of her songs here.