'I was a child carer for my mute parents and lacked confidence - The King's Trust changed that'

"Miira, 26, an only child, grew up caring for her deaf and mute Sri Lankan parents from the age of six. She arrived in London at 11 speaking little English and life in a silent household made her quiet and shy, and she struggled to make friends at school. Still, despite these obstacles and the weight of being a young carer Miira got herself into university, where she studied Accounting and Financial Information Systems, and then landed a job as a financial assistant."

"Overwhelmed by anxiety, low mood and loss of confidence, she sought help from the NHS, who referred her to a King's Trust Explore programme. I was worried that I wouldn't get on with people on the course, Miira said. But we did team-building exercises and I quickly settled in. I have spent my whole life caring for my parents taking them to appointments, filling in forms, translating for them and while I am proud of that, it's also been a lot."

Miira began caregiving for her deaf and mute Sri Lankan parents at age six and arrived in London at 11 with limited English, which contributed to shyness and social difficulties. She completed university studies in Accounting and Financial Information Systems and secured a role as a financial assistant. After the death of a close relative and redundancy, she experienced anxiety, low mood and loss of confidence and sought NHS support. The NHS referred her to a King's Trust Explore programme, where team-building helped her shed caregiving burdens, make friends and regain confidence. She later completed a four-week Get Into Tech course and was put forward to interview for an apprenticeship with tech consultancy Sopra Steria.

Read at www.standard.co.uk