Carers Week: Hardship Grant for a Young Carer
This Carers Week, we’re sharing the story of one of the young people supported through our Hardship Grant programme.
Hardship Grants provide financial assistance to gymnasts facing financial hardship, helping them continue participating in the sport they love. We are incredibly grateful to Scottish Gymnastics, whose £10,000 donation in 2025 has enabled us to continue supporting families across Scotland through the programme, with funding provided in partnership between Scottish Gymnastics and the British Gymnastics Foundation.
One recent grant recipient, who has asked to remain anonymous, is a 13-year-old recreational gymnast from Scotland who is also a young carer for her mum.
Her mum has been living with an incurable form of cancer for many years and is unable to work. Alongside school, gymnastics and volunteering as a coach at her club, the young gymnast helps care for her family and takes on responsibilities far beyond her years.
“When my mum was in hospital, I would wake up to walk the dogs and make sure that they’re all fed. I’d make sure that my brother is out the door on time and make sure that I’m ready for school as well.”
Her mum explained just how much she does.
“She is my registered carer. She’s basically like mini-me. So when I’m out of action, she just steps up and she’s mum. And she’s been doing that for years and she’s only 13.”
Despite the challenges she faces at home, gymnastics provides an important outlet. It is a place where she can be herself, build confidence, spend time with friends and take a break from the responsibilities she carries every day.
“It means a lot because, obviously since I’m doing a lot at home, it just means I can let off all my stress from school. School can be really hard, and then I come home and I’m helping out. It can be a lot sometimes. So it’s like a release.”
For the family, continuing gymnastics was never in doubt, but the financial pressure was significant. The Hardship Grant helped ease that burden and ensured that the young gymnast could continue taking part without additional sacrifices elsewhere.
“We would never ever stop taking her to gymnastics,” her mum said. “But the hardship grant made it so much easier for us.”
The grant provided more than just financial support. It gave the family some breathing space at a time when every penny mattered.
“To be honest with you, gymnastics is probably the only activity that she has that’s paid for. A lot of kids get karate, piano, you know? We can’t afford that. So it was a case of what do you want to do? And this is what she wants to do and she’s thrown herself fully at it.”
Stories like this demonstrate the life-changing impact that Hardship Grants can have.
For this young carer, gymnastics is more than just a sport – The British Gymnastics Foundation is proud to support young people like her, and we are grateful to Scottish Gymnastics for helping us ensure that financial hardship does not become a barrier to participation.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.