'I was a child carer for my mute parents and lacked confidence

Miira, 26, an only child, grew up caring for her deaf and mute Sri Lankan parents from the age of six. She arrived in London at 11 speaking little English and life in a silent household made her quiet and shy, and she struggled to make friends at school. Still, despite these obstacles — and the weight of being a young carer — Miira got herself into university, where she studied Accounting and Financial Information Systems, and then landed a job as a financial assistant.