A YOUNG carer’s kindness and determination have been given the royal seal of approval.

Emily Hicks, 26, from Holgate, York, has won the Patron’s award at the Festival of Learning Awards, in Birmingham, which is picked by Princess Anne.

More than 50 regional and national Festival of Learning winners were selected for a range of awards across four categories — individual, tutor, employer, and project/provision.

Emily’s story is one of inspiring selflessness, grace and resolve.

Her experience as the main carer for her mother, who is bi-polar, from the age of 11 opened her eyes to the enormity of the issues faced within the social care system.

The 26-year-old who is dyslexic left school with a handful of GCSEs and continued to study full time while caring for her mum.

She achieved Level 1 and 2 childcare qualifications at York College and worked for a year, but she and her family struggled financially.

After a couple of years Emily returned to learning. She gained qualifications in maths and English, and in 2010 enrolled on an access to social work diploma.

Studying full-time, Emily continued to care for her mother and work to bring in money for the family. In addition, she found time to volunteer with young carers, running weekly group sessions.

She finally achieved her dream of being accepted onto an undergraduate social care degree and graduated with honours from Manchester Metropolitan University two years ago.

She spent two years working as a personal care assistant during her studies and this year landed a job as an activity co-ordinator at York Carers Centre.

“I am so proud to receive this award and I hope it inspires more people out there to keep striving for something if they really want it, and believe in themselves,” she said.

“I’m not done yet; I want to keep learning and widening my skills and knowledge. Social care is facing a huge problem and I would love to think that I can make a difference to young carers and improve others’ lives.”

Stephen Evans, chief executive officer of Learning and Work Institute, which leads the Festival of Learning Awards, said: “Emily’s is a powerful and inspirational story.

“She demonstrates the power that learning has to transform lives and enable people to reach their potential and achieve their ambitions.

“She is a truly remarkable person and a worthy winner of this special award. Emily has combined caring responsibilities with learning, overcoming every challenge she has faced.”