Millie – A Young Carer with Big Ambitions

At just 16, Ipswich student Millie is balancing the demands of school with caring for her older brother. While she’s studying Religious Studies, Music, History, and core GCSE subjects, she already has her eyes set on A levels in English Literature, Psychology, and Law.

“Sometimes there just isn’t a quiet space at home to work,” Millie explains. “If my brother is overwhelmed, I have to be there for him - which means I often study during lunch at school instead.”

Social life can be tricky too. “It can be hard to join in when friends talk about places I’ve never been to because my brother wouldn’t manage it,” she says. “Sometimes it makes me feel like an outsider.”

Despite the challenges, Millie has turned her experiences into strength. She was named Suffolk Young Person of the Year for raising awareness of young carers. “Being a young carer hasn’t been easy,” she reflects, “but it’s made me who I am - and given me opportunities I never imagined.”