YOUNG carers from Bournemouth have made a short film explaining the challenges they face in their lives.

Life As We Know It was written, performed, recorded and edited by the youngsters, and is intended both to inform the public and to encourage other young carers to seek help.

The DVD includes a fictionalised day-in-the-life of a young carer, and will be distributed in schools, doctor’s surgeries and other public institutions.

Star Edwards, 16, who performed the music on the DVD, cares for her autistic brother, her mum who suffers from a lung disease, and her step-dad who has mental health concerns.

She said: “We know how hard it is to be a young carer and we want to show others out there that there is help available, as well as show other people that we exist.

“Our friends don’t understand why we can’t always come out, teachers don’t understand why we have to take a phone call in lessons, it can feel like no one understands.”

The idea for the film came after Bournemouth LINk’s three-year survey of the town’s youth revealed concerns over the level of support young carers received.

Bournemouth Young Carers co-ordinator Sarah Norris said there are some 200 known individuals in the Bournemouth area, but there may be four times as many in total, as many fear social stigma may mark their families if they reveal their role.

The group supports children as young as five-years-old who care for family members in some way, arranging days out and activities.

Cllr Chris Wakefield, carers champion for Bournemouth council, said: “I found the film engaging, heart-wrenching and informative, hopefully even if this does not encourage other young carers to come forward it will improve the quality of support they receive.

“It is important that we give young carers the support they need and deserve, as if they are unable to cope, families could break up.”