Who Cares

Matt Woodhead

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781786823687
• eBook ISBN: 9781786823694
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

In Salford alone, 34, 000 children are caring for someone. Adapted from real-life testimonies, this bold and pertinent piece of documentary theatre examines our failing care system, the impact of austerity and what happens when a child becomes the parent. Jade, Connor and Nicole all care for parents and siblings. They must juggle school and homework with caring for family members, making appointments, collecting prescriptions and running the home. Their hidden lives of caring have impacted their education, social life and health.Their testimonies are woven together, alongside those of social workers and parents, in this hard-hitting play. "It's tear-jerking throughout – accidents, abuse, disability, depression and suicide, all born on the backs of teenagers – and infuriating, too. Woodhead's script, filleted from interviews with real people who really faced these issues, points the finger squarely at austerity and its crippling effects on local councils and the services they can provide." ( The Stage ) A gripping verbatim theatre production based on a year of interviews that offers a rare insight into a year in the lives of young carers.

1

6.45am.
CONNOR	At quarter to seven the alarm rings. I take a breath, then it starts. Mum has tea and toast in bed while I make her appointments, put my uniform on and / I pack my bag.
JADE	I pack my bag and triple check I’ve got my coursework. I look at the clock and decide to skip / breakfast.
NICOLE	Breakfast this morning is last night’s take-away. I eat it while blasting out Twenty One Pilots. I load the washing machine, do the dishes and turn on the shower. The water isn’t even hot before Mum is banging on the door being like ‘You should have left five minutes ago.’ Shit, / I’m gonna be late.’
ALL	I’m gonna be late.
JADE	Growing up with a deaf brother is all I’ve ever known. When I was taught to speak, I was taught to sign. Even though Will is four years older, I grew up looking out for him.
	We’ve always been a normal family though. Mum worked as a social worker and Dad was a heavy goods driver. I remember when I was little, Dad would sneak into my room and whisper ‘How do you fancy a day off school?’ We’d always be scared of waking Mum, so I’d get dressed dead quick and sneak out the front door. In his truck we’d go all over. Brighton, London, even Belgium.
	You name it we drove there. He had this blue fleece which smelt of petrol and cheap aftershave. It was absolutely rancid and I’d never take it off. Until I was eight that was my life. Driving with my Dad.
CONNOR	In half an hour I’m up, ready and out the house. I check I’ve got my keys.
ALL	Bus-pass
NICOLE	Chewing gum
ALL	Planner
JADE	Hand sanitizer
ALL	Phone
CONNOR	Nintendo 3DS
ALL	Headphones
CONNOR	Even if I’m late, I stop before I lock the door. I need a moment to think because I don’t know what will be waiting for me when I come home.
NICOLE	When I was two, Dad left. I remember it happened in the middle of the night because I was in my pyjamas. I got out of bed, ran straight downstairs and Mum spent the next hour telling me everything was gonna be alright. I used to think Mum and Dad might get back together. But now I’m too old to believe in fairy tales.
JADE	I sign to Will (she signs) ‘Tea will be later tonight and it’s shepherd’s pie.’ Before he can complain / I’m out the door.
NICOLE	I’m out the door and I don’t look back. I can’t deal with another late mark. All teachers keep saying is ‘Year 9 is an important time. You mustn’t let standards slip.’ It’s frustrating because they don’t realise / there’s a proper reason I’m late.
ALL	There’s a proper reason I’m late.
CONNOR	Ever since she was young Mum looked after her family. Her sister was born without a fully developed heart and then her parents got ill. But it didn’t get in Mum’s way. When she got older she got a high-powered job, raised me and kept on caring.
	It’s strange to think about that now. But why look back? It won’t change anything, you can’t stop it from happening. Time is short, I’ll reminisce when I’m older. Can we talk about something else? I dunno, anything. Ask me about school.

2

7.55am.
NICOLE	My best mate Brandon is waiting outside. We dump his bike in the back garden and start the journey in. / Mondays are the worst.
CONNOR	Mondays are the worst now I’m in year 11. It’s maths, English, physics, RE, computer science, German and geography. I turn the corner of my road, run past the old library and see / the number 36.
ALL	The number 36 is packed, there aren’t any seats.
JADE	And when year 13 strut on, you can literally taste the air. It’s usually a mix between Lynx Chocolate and Britney Spears Radiance. When they come onto the top-deck I take one last gasp, hold my breath and brace myself for / the journey in.
NICOLE	The journey into school just goes on and on. It would actually be quicker to walk. I notice Connor on his own at the front of the bus. I think about saying hi but me and Brandon are making a snowstorm with pages of the Metro. I add it to my Snapchat Story. In the end we’re crammed on that bus / for over forty-five minutes.
CONNOR	For over forty-five minutes my nose is pushed into the arm pit of a year 12. It’s hot, sweaty and difficult to breathe. This bus might have WI-FI, but I’ve already caught every Pokémon on Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. Eventually the doors open and / everyone piles off.
ALL	Everyone piles off.
JADE	I sprint over the road and I’m just about to make it through the gates when I get a Facetime from Will. I ask (she signs) ‘Are you okay?’ I haven’t got time to chat but he’s confused about his new medication.
	When I finally arrive at registration, my form tutor pulls me up in front of the entire class. I’ve told him what’s going on at home, but he doesn’t get it. He’s like ‘Jade, you’re always late, what’s your excuse this time?’ Everyone stares as I get tongue tied. I go boiling hot and try to explain but the words won’t come out. It feels like the whole classroom is going to swallow me up.

3

8.45am.
NICOLE	At registration it’s all kicking off. Basically, Erica accused Chantelle of stealing her pen. Chantelle insists she didn’t so things have hit breaking point. Form is in a science lab, so we’re on these really tall stools and Erica is being like, ‘If you keep my pen I’m gonna snatch your weave.’
CONNOR	Today we have a supply teacher whose eyes bulge out. If you’re caught with your phone it’s a Friday detention, but I’ve found a way to link my phone to my smart watch. I message Mum on the sly. I text her while he reads the register.
NICOLE	By now the drama has escalated. It’s clear that Chantelle has attached her extensions to her roots, so Erica is actually dragging her off the stool by her scalp. Then there’s this weird pause and Erica stands up, holding a clump of Chantelle’s hair like a trophy.
JADE	Assembly is always first thing for year 13, so while the teachers go into the hall, I hide in the toilets.
NICOLE	The truth is, I stole Erica’s pen. And I’d do it again.
JADE	Mr O’Sullivan has started doing these cringe assemblies where he talks about the future and I’m just like ‘No thanks, I can’t think about that right now.’ I go into one of the cubicles, Facetime Will and ask (she signs) ‘Have you managed to take your medication okay?’ Then I just sit and wait for assembly to end.
NICOLE	A teacher comes in and sends Erica to the head. While everyone watches Chantelle fish her weave out the bin, I put my phone in my blazer pocket and wire my earphones through my sleeve so I’m ready for maths. At school if you’re caught doing anything wrong you get a behaviour point. We’re only three weeks into term and I’ve already got twenty-five. I listen to music in lessons, it takes my mind off things. It makes me feel like I’m somewhere else.
JADE	Teachers are always on patrol for sixth formers who skive assembly,...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Dedication
• Foreword
• Characters
• Chapters
• Our Songs Chosen By The Carers