My Life: Ruby Ashton, 6, Nottinghamshire

Ruby Ashton helps her mother Elizabeth and four-year-old sister Scarlett, who both have a hereditary birth defect known as split hand/foot malformation (missing fingers and toes).

Under a young carers initiative in Nottinghamshire, her family is supported by a care assistant, and Ruby benefits from day trips over the summer holidays and direct payments for facilities, including an iPad with educational apps.

What do your mum and sister find difficult to do? Scarlett finds it hard to do up buttons and zips and put toothpaste on her toothbrush. I also help her with her toys, like putting clothes on her dolls.

What other things do you do? I help them both get dressed and open up food like bread and crisps.

What sort of help do you get from people outside your family? We have a lady who comes in to do my and Scarlett’s hair in the morning before school. She brushes our hair and does bunches and plaits.

Do the other children and teachers understand what you do at home? No, I just go to school like other children.

What are your favourite things to do outside school? Ice skating, gymnastics, swimming. I like going to the park, colouring, baking and playing.

What do you enjoy doing most with your sister? Playing together.

What has been your favourite summer trip and why? Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath. There were lots of fun rides. I liked the log flume best. Mum and dad also took us to Butlin’s in Skegness, which was great.