His parents’ health meant Mr Wilkinson formed a bubble with them in Derbyshire during the coronavirus lockdown.
His father, Professor Iain Wilkinson’s condition required a carer full time but restrictions made that difficult.
“I was 21 and a young carer,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“My dad became immobile so I took him to the toilet and helped shower him.
“I did the cooking and cleaning. It was a weird dynamic that I never expected.”
He also had to ensure his mother, now 58, was being looked after, having being diagnosed with early onset dementia.
Although she was capable of caring for herself physically, she was increasingly confused by the changing dynamic in the house, Mr Wilkinson said.
“Mum was unsure about the tension in the house and I was in the middle of it all so I just needed to get away sometimes,” he added.
