Most children look forward to the weekend – it’s the end of the school week and they have all the free time in the world.

But for one Bristol 11-year-old, his weekend is spent at his dad’s house, keeping him company and making sure he is safe.

His dad, who suffers from mental health issues, is an alcoholic. He lives alone and away from the family.

But that does not matter to his son, who has not been named due to the wishes of his family, who goes to his father’s house in Clevedon to help out with household chores.

He might only have just started secondary school, but the young carer from Hanham is already doing what many will never have to do in their lifetime.

“I go there and just help him out around the house and keep him company. Sometimes, he can feel lonely, and it can be difficult when I’m not with him,” he explained.

“We speak to each other quite often, and he calls me on the phone. He calls a lot, everytime he wants to talk to someone.

“It’s difficult especially when I’m with my friends.”

Almost on cue, he broke away from the rest of the young carers group – who were visiting City Hall – to speak with his dad on the phone and calm him down.

“Sometimes I have to come out of class to pick up a call or talk to him. It’s hard to explain to my friends, but they know I’m a young carer,” he said.

“It’s hard to explain to people about alcoholism or addiction.”

The schoolboy used the word “hard” quite a lot, but it was not bandied about lightly. For an 11-year-old – who is about five foot tall – caring for an adult man can be “hard”.

He said: “When dad ends up in hospital, I’ll go there as well. It’s difficult to talk about it.”

Seeing his dad move away from his young home when he was just nine was tough. He started seeing his dad on weekends, but at times, alcohol takes over.

“I was at my dad’s house overnight and he got drunk and I had to call someone to take me home. He was saying some really bad stuff and it was leading to something bad,” he explained, while looking at his shoes.

“I was scared. It has only happened twice, but they were the scariest times of my life.”

The young pupil at Hanham Woods Academy has had to grow up quickly.

He said: “I can get quite stressed at times, and angry. When I get angry, I become very angry. Most of the time I try to keep calm, but it’s hard. When I’m angry I go to school and speak to someone.”

He is part of the young carers network in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, where there are more than 3,500 young carers.

Would he change anything if he was given the choice? He paused for 30 seconds before carefully giving his answer.

“I would not change it. It is a life that is different to others and it can affect you quite badly, but if you talk to someone about it, it can be a bit better,” the young boy bravely said.

“Life as a young carer is hard. Being a young carer for dad – even though it has caused me stress and anger – it feels good to know that I’m different from others.

“I get to meet a lot of different people that is in the same position as me, and we can all relate. He is my dad, at the end of the day."

This Bristol schoolboy is supported by the charity Carers Support Centre, which works with families and schools.

If you know a young carer who needs some help, get in touch:

CarersLine: 0117 965 2200

www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk