Young carer to present inquiry to Parliament

A young carer will announce the results of a national inquiry into removing barriers to higher education, employment and training for others like him in Parliament.

Danny Donnelly, 22, from Forest Fields in Nottingham, has been caring for his dad, who has multiple sclerosis (MS), since the age of 10.

He said he hoped the results would help young people "to thrive rather than choosing between their future and someone else's".

Donnelly is continuing to care for his dad despite recovering from life-changing injuries he suffered in an unprovoked assault by a gang while he was in a park with his family.

The young carer acted as an adviser and co-chair of the inquiry, which was launched by the all-party parliamentary group for young carers and young adult carers.

He said the project aimed to provide Parliament with the "strongest evidence to date on the barriers young adult carers face in accessing higher education, employment and training".

Donnelly also said he believed evidence provided by the inquiry would translate into "clear, actionable recommendations".

"The government is always stressing the importance of getting young people into education, employment and training," he said.

"But thousands of young carers can find it really challenging to find the time and chance to do it.

"This inquiry is about finding a way for young carers to thrive rather than choosing between their future and someone else's."

Donnelly has thrown himself into the project, despite "still recovering" five years on from the attack which changed his life.

"I was unable to walk properly," he said.

"My speech went, and I have hypersensitivity to light, sound and touch, and it caused me pain to do what I loved, which was making music at the time.

"My mum became my carer for a few years, she helped me relearn how to walk."

Not only has he taken on a major role with the inquiry, Donnelly is also studying for a degree in adult nursing while looking after his father.

"I cook, clean, look after him, provide company, but I also sort his medication and personal care," he said.

"It's an innate energy that keeps me going.

"I've seen it first-hand how caring for a family member affects families.

"I see very often the impact that it has on families, so it's the greatest honour helping those people."

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