Meet Jack
Jack is 11 years old and lives near Swansea with his mum and their five-year-old black Labrador, Sky. It’s a close-knit household, but one where Jack has grown up very quickly.
Jack’s mum lives with several serious health conditions affecting her heart, liver, bowels and kidneys. As her main source of day-to-day support, Jack helps in ways most children his age never have to think about. He looks after Sky, helps with the laundry, dishwasher, ironing and hoovering, and assists with physical tasks like carrying shopping up from the car or logs for the fire. Jack also supports his mum with getting dressed, keeping track of medication, and preparing meals and cups of tea. These responsibilities sit alongside school, homework and friendships - and can feel heavy at times.
Helping his mum gives Jack a strong sense of purpose and pride. But caring also comes with emotional strain. Jack finds that stress can sometimes build up, affecting his mood and making it harder to manage his feelings. Like many young carers, he does his best to balance caring with being a child, but the pressure can feel constant.
“Sometimes it makes me feel stressed… I get triggered really easily and feel really angry. I just can’t control my emotions.”
A Break That Truly Gives Respite
Fortunately, Jack has been able to step away from these responsibilities thanks to two Honeypot Short Breaks at our Pen y Bryn House in Wales, the first when he was just 10 years old. For Jack, Honeypot is not just a holiday - it is a true respite. A safe, nurturing place where he doesn’t have to worry about caring, and where adults are there to look after him instead.
From the moment Jack arrived on his first break, staff noticed how quickly he settled in. He thrived in the supportive environment, building positive relationships with both other young carers and the team around him. Jack showed the same kindness he displays at home, always keen to help others and get involved, while also learning that it was okay to seek reassurance and attention when he needed it.
“I loved every last bit of it - but the one thing I would always say is that it’s the friends that you meet and the people that you go along with.”
Being outdoors and active clearly helped Jack relax. He loved playing basketball and football, spent time running around outside, and fully embraced the chance to burn off energy. For staff, it was clear that the structure, care and consistency of the break allowed Jack to feel safe enough to switch off from his caring role. He ate well, slept well, and began to relax into the experience - something many young carers struggle to do.
At Honeypot, Jack could finally focus on being a child. Days were filled with swimming, football, games, laughter and shared experiences with other young carers who understood his world. The friendships he made and the sense of belonging he felt were just as important as the activities themselves.
“Knowing Jack is somewhere safe and having a good time makes all the difference, Honeypot allows us both to have a break and focus on ourselves for once.”
Returning Home Feeling Stronger
Spending time away from home also helped Jack build confidence and emotional resilience. Learning that his mum would be okay while he was away allowed him to relax and enjoy himself, free from constant worry.
When Jack returns home after a break, he does so feeling refreshed, calmer and more able to cope with everyday challenges.
“I think it will be easier to look after my mum now I’ve had a fun break,” he explains.
Perhaps most powerfully of all, Honeypot gives Jack something he rarely gets elsewhere: the freedom to be himself, without responsibility or expectation.
“Honeypot helps me be myself - because I don’t normally get to be myself.”
For Jack, that break really matters. It restores his energy, strengthens his confidence, and helps him return home better supported to continue the vital caring role he plays every single day. To every young carer thinking about coming to Honeypot Jack says:
“All the staff and, the bus drivers are super friendly. Just please be nice to them and they will in return be nice to you back! And just have fun. You don’t need to worry about anything!”