Blaine Cunningham (L) Hasti Jahanghiri (R)
Published Friday 18 June 2021 at 9:30
Young Carers, Blaine Cunningham, 14 and Hasti Jahanghiri, 16, have been shortlisted in this year’s BBC Make a Difference Awards, recognising the inspiring work they are doing to support their loved ones each and every day.
They both have received nominations under ‘The Young Carer’ category – this is awarded to someone aged 17 or under who improves the life of an individual or group of people by caring for them on a regular basis.
Blaine has spent the last 6 years caring for his mum who lives with a severe autoimmune condition called Graves’ disease. This has meant she is having to shield because her immune system is very low and is classed as vulnerable due to Covid-19.
Throughout the pandemic, there were times when Blaine couldn’t go to school because his mum was scared he would pick up the virus and bring it home, which could result in her falling very ill. Since then, Blaine has been able to attend school regularly again but it took him a little longer due to his mum’s condition.
Despite this, Blaine continues to do the little things to help make each day easier for his mum and at such a young age he has proven that even doing the smallest of things can make the biggest difference.
Blaine’s mum, Sarah Cunningham, said:
Covid has been a real challenge for us and Blaine, bless him, has been a little worrywart, but he’s a brilliant support to me emotionally and helps me with things around the house – I am dead proud of him.
When asked about how it feels to have her son shortlisted for the award, Blaine’s mum said:
He’s such a good kid, he always has been – he deserves this.
Hasti has been caring for her mum since seeking asylum in the UK together over a year and a half ago.
Her mum suffers from a neurological chronic illness which affects her back, chest and arms, causing sleeping problems. Hasti supports her when she has sleepless nights: helping to cook, clean and take care of the household throughout the pandemic.
In addition to this, she also acts as a translator during doctor’s appointment due to her mum not being able to speak English.
Young carer, Hasti Jahanghiri, 16, said:
Because my mum has severe depression, the isolation doesn’t really come in handy, it just increases the social anxiety that my mum has, so the pandemic hasn’t been easy on us but we are getting through it – that’s what we do.
At the age of 16, she has found herself living a very different life to her peers – whilst it was not easy balancing her caring responsibilities with school, she has continued to excel in her studies and is predicted to gain 9 GCSE’s.
It was through overcoming the adversity she has faced, that has made her into the strong person she is today and equally deserving of her nomination.
Hasti, added:
I have told my mum and she is very happy about it. It gives you the feeling that all this struggle doesn’t go unnoticed, so it gives you a good feeling when somebody notices, so thank you for that.
Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, Councillor Julie Gunn, said:
Young carers are often unsung heroes so it is wonderful that they are being nominated. Both Blaine and Hasti are making such a positive contribution and I have no doubt that their families are thankful to have such caring young people in their lives. I wish them the best of luck and hope that they feel proud that they are also getting public recognition of the very important part they play.
The Council works together with Child Action North West (CANW) to help promote and support Young Carers and their needs. CANW deliver a Young Carers service that looks to provide guidance, counselling and advice to Young Carers like Blaine and Hasti, whilst also finding hidden Young Carers across the borough.
Director of Children’s services for Blackburn with Darwen Council, Jayne Ivory, said:
I am so proud that two of our Young Carers have been nominated for the BBC Make a Difference Awards and wish both of our contenders all the best. We have an estimated 1543 Young Carers in BwD alone between the ages of 5 to 18 years. They could be providing emotional and/or physical support to a parent or a sibling with an illness or disability, mental health and substance misuse.
These Awards will highlight the role our Young Carers have in supporting their families and it is vitally important that we provide them with the support they need to do so.
Nominations for the Awards will be judged by a panel led by BBC Radio Lancashire’s Managing Editor, Andrew Bowman.
Blaine and Hasti will be invited to attend the official awards ceremony alongside the rest of the shortlisted nominees on 11 September 2021.
To learn more about support for Young Carers in Blackburn with Darwen visit: http://canw.org.uk/early-support/young-carers/
If you are a young carer and need any help, support, advice or just someone to speak to, there are support groups available and help. We don’t want anyone to struggle alone, please contact: The Early and Support Service and speak to Zoe Fitzpatrick on: 01254 666641 or Laura Mckelvey on: 01254 666536.
Watch Blaine and Hasti share more about their stories in this video: