Since she was five years old, Amy has cared for her mother, who has several mental health conditions. She now also supports her stepfather following his recovery from cancer and stoma surgery in 2023. Amy works full-time as a mental health nurse in the NHS, including day, night and weekend shifts.
We spoke to her about how using her rights has helped her to balance caring and paid work.
Amy explained that there have been periods when her caring role has been overwhelming. In the summer of 2023, she was on sick leave due to caring stress and work-related stress.
Amy reached out for a carer’s assessment through her local carers' centre. Through the assessment she felt supported and learned about available help for both her parents and for her. This included the importance of contacting occupational health about her own situation at work, who recommended a flexible working agreement.
Amy used her right to request flexible working (now available to all employees from day one on the job) and agreed a working pattern that better suited her caring responsibilities. This arrangement limits the number of night shifts she works consecutively, builds in days off during the week, and avoids her working full weekends, when her caring role tends to increase.
Amy explained flexible working means she is:
“…able to meet caring responsibilities for my mother which includes providing emotional support, encouragement to attend appointments, liaising with professionals involved in my mother's care and other caring responsibilities.”
When caring for her stepfather, flexible working also means that Amy can:
“…manage his benefits applications, helps me to support him to attend to his health conditions and help me to book or chase his appointments.”
Flexible working has made a huge difference to her work-life balance:
“Without this I think I would not be able to manage full-time work and caring responsibilities. My health and wellbeing has improved dramatically. My carer stress has reduced.”
In addition, Amy has used her right to carer’s leave and the right to request a carer’s assessment to help navigate some of the stresses of caring. She has used carer’s leave to be able to attend medical appointments and manage caring crises, as there have been:
“…times where I was needed at home, for example my mother was struggling with her mental health or my stepfather has been unwell and needed support.”
When caring, Amy also emphasised the importance of practising selfcare and making time for your own hobbies. For Amy, this involves doing the things she loves such as walking, listening to music and attending concerts and festivals.
Ahead of Carers Rights Day, Amy has joined us in encouraging fellow carers to ‘Know your rights, use your rights’...
“There is support out there for carers including young carers. If you are struggling with caring responsibilities please contact your local carer centre. Make sure you are registered at your GP as a carer. Tell your employer about your caring role. Look at a flexible working agreement if you are struggling to manage work and caring responsibilities.”
- Amy, unpaid carer
Find out how you can get involved in Carers Rights Day 2025.
Amy taking some time out from juggling care and work