Young Carers in the Shadows

By Mel Rose

In every town, school, and neighbourhood, some young people go through life carrying an extraordinary responsibility—one that is often hidden behind their quiet demeanour or missed school days.

Young carers often slip through the cracks. Many do not self-identify as carers; they see their responsibilities as simply part of family life. Being a young carer myself, I have to look after a visually impaired man who struggles to travel, do daily tasks and other things we wouldn’t even have a second thought about doing.

Part of the problem lies in the lack of awareness that is not there for young carers. That’s why I wanted to mention what my favourite singer/songwriter did to improve this. Yungblud, also known as Dom Harrison, wrote a song called “Zombie”, and it’s a beautiful song that takes a look into the life of a young carer and what it’s like for them, daily.

They asked Florence Pugh to be the star of the music video, and I believe she did an outstanding job of portraying the day-to-day struggles of being a young carer. It shows the bonds that are made throughout the years of working, as well as the relationships and friendships that just suddenly fade away. Zombie shows how a service nurse's emotional toll and resilience, highlighting themes of burnout, grief, and the struggle to cope with the demands of the job. Trying to balance their personal life with the demands of their profession. Just watching the music video really hits home, not just for me but for thousands or even millions of people worldwide, and I believe Dom did a great job of spreading awareness.

Dom chose the title “Zombie” for this song as it’s a metaphor that represents the feeling of being emotionally drained and detached, a state that many healthcare workers can relate to. The video also celebrates the unsung heroes of the healthcare system, those who keep showing up even when they feel like they are "zombies".

The moment that sticks out of the shadows for me is that the video also conveys a sense of resilience and the importance of finding moments of light and connection amidst difficult circumstances.

Here is a link to the music video, Zombie by YUNGBLUD: YUNGBLUD - Zombie (Official Music Video)