From Worried to Confident: Ella's Back-to-School Story

27th August 2026

"I used to feel sick just thinking about going back to school."

Ella, 15, Young Carer from Bristol and South Gloucestershire

For many young people, the end of the summer holidays can bring a mix of excitement and nerves. For young carers, there can be even more to think about. Alongside new teachers and lessons, there may be worries about family responsibilities, friendships, or how things will cope at home while you're at school.

When I moved from primary school to secondary school, those worries felt much bigger. The school was larger, there were lots of new people, and I didn't know what to expect. I was also helping care for a family member, so it often felt like I was trying to balance two different parts of my life.

Sometimes I felt anxious, struggled to sleep and worried about things that might go wrong. I felt like I had to deal with everything on my own.

Finding Support

Things began to change when I connected with Young Carers services in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Meeting other young carers helped me realise I wasn't alone. It was reassuring to meet people who understood what it was like to worry about someone at home while trying to focus on school. Having trusted adults and other young carers to talk to made a real difference.

One of the things that helped me most was taking part in the Resilience Lab. Through activities and group discussions, I learned ways to manage stress, feel more confident and understand my emotions better. It also helped me recognise my strengths and find strategies for dealing with challenges both at home and at school.

My Tips for Moving Schools

Starting a new school can feel overwhelming, but a few things can help:

• Let your new school know you're a young carer so they can support you.
• Attend transition or induction days if you can.
• Find a trusted adult at school you can talk to if you're worried.
• Keep in touch with old friends while making new connections.
• Focus on one day at a time rather than the whole year ahead.

Looking After Your Mental Health

When you're caring for someone and managing school, it's important to look after your own wellbeing too.

Talk About How You Feel

Sharing worries with a trusted adult, friend, teacher or support worker can stop problems building up.

Make Time for Things You Enjoy

Whether it's listening to music, gaming, sport, reading, crafting or spending time with friends, small moments of enjoyment can make a big difference.

Look After the Basics

Getting enough sleep, eating regular meals and staying hydrated can help you feel more able to cope when things are challenging.

Focus on What You Can Control

When things feel overwhelming, try breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps and focus on what you can do today.

Celebrate Your Achievements

Being a young carer takes a lot of strength and resilience. Remember to recognise everything you achieve, even on the difficult days.

Use Wellbeing Resources

If you find it difficult to talk about how you're feeling, online support can be a great place to start. Kooth provides free, safe and anonymous digital mental health support for young people. You can access self-help tools, read articles written by young people, join moderated discussion boards and chat confidentially with trained counsellors online. Visit www.kooth.com to find out more.

Reach Out for Help

Asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. There are people who want to help.

Looking Forward

Being a young carer has taught me resilience, empathy and determination. Some days are still tough, but I've learned that I don't have to face challenges on my own.

The support I've received from Young Carers services, the Resilience Lab programme, my school and resources such as Kooth has helped me feel more confident about the future and better able to deal with challenges when they arise.

If you're worried about going back to school or moving to a new one this September, the biggest thing I'd say is this:

Take things one step at a time. Talk to someone if you're struggling. And remember, you don't have to deal with everything on your own.

Need Support?

If you're reading this as a young carer, or as a parent or carer of a young person who is struggling with their caring role, mental health or the transition back to school, please get in touch: [email protected] or use our response form

Our team can provide advice, support and information about the services available for young carers across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.