A Torfaen young carer has received national recognition for the remarkable support she provides to her family after winning a prestigious Child of Wales Award.
Cwmbran High School pupil Olivia Furley, 14, was named Exceptional Young Carer at the Child of Wales Awards ceremony at Swansea Arena on Friday.
Olivia has helped care for her mum, Leanne, since shortly after her ninth birthday, when family life changed dramatically after Leanne began experiencing multiple seizures each day.
Previously fit and healthy, Leanne spent a lengthy period in hospital, experiencing more than 40 seizures a day at her worst. She now uses a wheelchair and experiences paralysis, loss of speech and significant cognitive difficulties.
Alongside her older brother Brandon, Olivia has taken on significant caring responsibilities, helping keep her mum safe during seizures and supporting her with eating, drinking, dressing and using her wheelchair.
Olivia is one of 47 young carers at Cwmbran High School and has received support from Torfaen Council’s Young Carers service since 2020.
Since joining the service, she has taken part in group sessions, outdoor activities, festivals and wellbeing opportunities, while also using her experience as a member of the Young Carers Forum to help shape local support services.
Olivia said: “I feel really honoured to receive this award and I am extremely grateful for the support I have had from Torfaen Young Carers and Miss Ayling at Cwmbran High. They have helped me be more open and proud of who I am. From this, I’ve wanted to advocate for carers and raise awareness in school and the community.
“I’d also like to thank my dad for nominating me. I believe many others deserve the award, as all young carers try their hardest and should be understood and respected.”
The awards evening also saw 12-year-old Oliver Baggot receive the Bravery Award, in recognition of the selfless courage he showed when a firework malfunctioned and fired into a crowd on Bonfire Night last year.
Oliver stepped in to protect his younger brother and sister, putting their safety before his own.
Beyond her caring role, Olivia is a Junior Inclusion Ambassador with Dragons RFC, using her experiences to help others feel welcome and included.
Olivia’s father, Wayne, said: “Olivia has grown up with responsibilities most children her age would never be expected to face.
“We are unbelievably proud of her. It’s an amazing achievement, but knowing everything Olivia has faced and the role she has within our family makes this recognition even more special.”
Olivia will also be formally recognised for her achievement at a meeting of Torfaen Council in November.
Torfaen Young Carers supports more than 200 young people across the borough.