Torn between a world of responsibilities at home and a school yard of friends who couldn’t understand – she felt alone.

But at 14, she met someone who could relate.

Another Tammy, Tammy Bowman, who herself had been a teenage carer and could understand the weight of caring. 

“I was really, really isolated when I met Tammy, I had a bit of depression and anxiety and being an only child there was no one at home but me and mum,” Miss Petersen-Taylor said.

“It’s almost like a weight on your shoulders.

“You can’t talk about it to your peers, no one seems to understand.

“I was overwhelmed I wasn’t coping all that well.”

Miss Petersen-Taylor, now 19, said her life changed when her high school’s wellbeing team recognised she needed help and connected her with Villa Maria Catholic Homes and their Youth Carer Mentor Program. 

“Villa Maria and the mentor program, I don’t know where I’d be without their services,” Miss Peterson-Taylor said.

“Tammy alone was an absolute godsend.

“As a 14-year-old, because I was a carer I was very mature and I couldn’t relate to my peers, to have someone that understands and could relate because it was their experience too, was great.”

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The Wangaratta teen, now 19, is currently studying community services and hopes to support young carers in her future work.

Her mentor-turned-friend Ms Bowman was recently awarded a certificate of appreciation for her dedication to the program.

As well as mentoring, Ms Bowman cares for her own family and works full-time. 

She said she knows how difficult it can be being a young carer. At 19, Ms Bowman cared for her brother and sister while her mum battled brain cancer. After her mother died she also cared for her father.

“Being a young carer changed my life. It made me go ‘internal’ and just close down,” Ms Bowman said. 

“As a young carer, you don’t have time to worry about school, your friends, or your own feelings… you’re too busy paying bills, cleaning the house or preparing meals.

“I want to help these kids to just be ‘normal’ kids…to go for a coffee, go to the movies and have someone to confide in.”

Ms Bowman said carers were urgently needed in Wodonga, Euroa and Benalla and encouraged people to support young community members by getting involved in the mentoring program.