Do you sometimes wish that you could rule the house, rather than your parents? What if the roles were swapped and your parents were suddenly relying on you?

John, 14, lives in the UK with his mum, who is partially blind. This makes it impossible for her to do a lot of everyday things, so John has to take charge. ‘As soon as mum was registered partially blind I realised the effect it would have on my life,' he says.

John’s not the only child in the UK who has to look after a parent. There are a number of children who have to care for their parents if they have an illness, disability or a drug or alcohol problem.

Children who do this are often called 'young carers'. Being in this situation has a big impact on their lives. It’s harder for them to go to school, concentrate on their school work and play with their friends, as they worry about looking after thier mum or dad.

'Sometimes I go out, but mostly I stay with my mum, or friends come here,' says John. 'I feel really bad leaving her on her own so I take my mobile everywhere to check she's okay, and so she knows I'm okay.'

'The roles have reversed - now I write the cheques for the bills, and go food shopping with mum to see the prices, and clothes shopping with her to see the sizes,' he tells us. This has also affected him getting to school. 'She can't drive me to school anymore. I walk everywhere,' John says.

Life is challenging for John and other 'young carers' like him, but he has found support through a project called the 'Young Carers Project'. If you look after a relative, or just want to find out more, go to the Young Carers Project website to see the ways in which they can offer help and advice.

John, 14, with his mum at their home