'I tidy and wash up to help care for my mum'

"Sometimes to help my mum I will do the washing up and clean up the back garden."

That is what most days look like for eight-year-old Willow, who took a break from her responsibilities by enjoying some time out at an adventure park in Poole.

Mytime Young Carers organised the visit to help reduce the isolation and stress placed on those who provide unpaid care for a family member or loved one.

Willow's brother, Henry, said he liked the days out organised by the charity because they gave him "a break from seeing my mum poorly in bed".

Adventure Pirate is a woodland site in Lytchett Minster that offers outdoor activities like archery, big tree climbing and crate stack.

"Some of the children here today are as young as four years old," said Mytime Young Carers chief executive Krista Cartlidge.

"Those children are taking on responsibilities such a cooking and cleaning but actually a lot of it is about providing emotional support.

"This isn't a choice for them it is a responsibility that they take on because there is no one else to do it."

Willow said taking care of her mum was sometimes a "little bit difficult".

"It's because sometimes my mum has really bad tummy pains and we have to give her like two syringes of her medicine," she said.

"Sometimes we do the washing up, clean the back garden and do stuff for our mum. Literally every day I make her a coffee."

Nine-year-old Henry said he also sometimes wakes Willow up in the morning and makes his mum coffees.

"I do pretty much everything for her. I go to the shops for her. Yeah I buy stuff for her sometimes," he said.

Teenagers like 13-year-old Jason, who cares for his mum and dad by cleaning and cooking, are also able to attend the Mytime Carers adventure days.

"I have to also help them out emotionally," he said.

"It can be a bit stressful sometimes and that's why we do these activities trying to help young carers feel better and have some free time to themselves.

"I've got siblings as well that help around the house, but it can be a bit stressful sometimes as well, especially when it goes to school and stuff."