Jordan's story

Jordan, 12, does a lot of practical things to help his mother, Tracey, who suffers from bouts of depression.

He goes shopping four times a week and helps with the cleaning, washing and tidying. But he knows that his main job is even more important. "It’s to make her smile and keep her cheerful", he says.

He has learned to recognise the signs of his mother's black mood coming on. "Jordan asks me if I’m feeling OK and though I say I am, he knows I am not and starts doing things for himself" says single mother Tracey, 42.

 "I know he needs to be cared for as a child but instead it is him keeping me going with kisses and cuddles and trying to make me laugh."

"He’ll say: ’Come on, mum, let’s have a game of cards.’ He knows he can’t cheer me up fully inside but he can put a smile on my face for ten minutes once a day. He’s my teddy bear."

Jordan confesses he "gets a bit fed up" when his mum is sinking into a depression which renders her unable to function for several days but he happily takes on the chores. "I know she needs time to herself to go for a walk or visit my nan and I don’t mind doing things in the house.

"And I get to go to the Carers’ Centre where I meet other children. I help them with their problems and have fun."