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'I once felt alone - now I'm there for others'

Sarah Brinicombe,in Doverand
Joshua Askew,South East
BBC A young woman stands in an office with a large glas window on to the street. Behind her is a potted plant on a table with a pink cover and leaflets on it.BBC
Jess Brooks said she grew up feeling isolated

A woman has described how she now works at a charity that once was a lifeline for her in a tough period.

As a child and then teenager, Jess Brooks cared for her father who is paralysed from the chest down, cooking, cleaning and shopping for him.

"Growing up I felt very alone," she told BBC South East.

"I was also bullied a lot. People found out my dad was disabled and then targeted me because of it."

Brooks said during this time she was supported by the Dover Smart Project, where she met other young carers in similar situations.

The charity runs creative sessions for young people with a caring role at home, among others.

"The project gave me somewhere I could go," she added. "I felt safe."

"You [could] walk in the door and... say anything you needed to get off your chest.

"I wasn't constantly thinking about my dad at home and... what I needed to do.

"I was able to just be myself."

'We can all achieve great things'

Now 24 and a primary school teacher, Brooks is also a support worker at the charity, which has recieved funding from BBC Children in Need.

"[My dad] is really proud of what I've become," she said.

"He's so happy."

Supplied A man in a wheelchair next to his daughter. She is wearing a university graduation cap and gown, and holding a bunch of flowers. Both are looking at the camera and smiling.Supplied
Brooks said her dad was proud of her achievements

Brooks said her own experience meant she could empathise with what other young carers were going through.

"No one really knows what's going on at home, but I can sit down with them and say: I understand.

"And they know that I do," she continued.

Dawn Butcher, who set up the Dover Smart Project, said Brooks was a "real testament" to the "incredibly extraordinary things" young people could do.

"You may be a vulnerable child, but that doesn't mean you will turn into a vulnerable adult," she added.

"We've all got the capacity to achieve great things in our life."

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