Guest blog: giving young carers a voice with the Carers Trust Youth Advisory Panel

In this month’s guest blog, learn more about the Carers Trust Youth Advisory Panel, which is supported by a strategic partnership grant from KCCF. Thank you to the Panel’s Co-Chair, Sharan, for writing this insightful blog.

As the co-chair of the Carers Trust Youth Advisory Panel, I’m helping to shape support for the one million young carers in the UK. I’m only 21 but my journey to this point has been a long one, from walking through the doors of my local support service at age 10, through school and volunteering.

The Youth Advisory Panel (YAP)

Carers Trust YAP was established in 2023, thanks to funding from the King Charles III Charitable Fund. The group consists of over 60 young carer members from across the UK, working together to make a difference for young carers. We have a say in Carers Trust governance, working with a young carer board observer to make sure young carer voices are heard at board level. We discuss issues unpaid carers face in education, work and society.

My journey as a young carer

In 2013, my dad saw a Facebook ad about young carers and contacted our local Coventry service. They identified my brother and me as young carers because we looked after our neurologically disabled aunt, blind grandmother, and epileptic grandfather, helping with their physical health and mental well-being.

Staying with the young carers service was a lifeline for me. Their social sessions offered a much-needed break from my responsibilities. We enjoyed walks in the park, learning instruments, cooking classes, and study sessions.

Growing up, I focused more on my caring duties and school and stepped back from socialising. During secondary school, I started socialising more. I managed to study for 11 GCSEs, volunteer, and join extracurricular activities. Attending the sessions helped me make friends who understood what it was like to be a carer.

Sixth Form brought new challenges. During covid, I lived with my grandparents to continue my caring role. My aunt passed away from cancer, and I had to help my grandparents cope with their grief whilst maintaining regular duties like, cooking, personal care, house chores and studying for 4 A-Levels.

Getting to giving

Inspired by the support I received during tough times, I decided to give back to the community. At 16, I unofficially volunteered as the Head of the Young Carers Council in Coventry. We gathered feedback from young carers to improve the service, and I received governance training from the CEO to lead effectively.

At 18, I became an official volunteer, and dedicated myself to spreading awareness and I filmed videos sharing my experiences, highlighting the responsibilities young carers shoulder. Integrating my culture into these projects was important to me; one video featured speaking different languages, and I proudly spoke Punjabi.

Serving as Co-Chair of the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) has been an incredible journey. I’ve collaborated with Carers Trust and universities on research projects which aim to ease the challenges young carers face in pursuing further education.

My journey with Carers Trust has been transformative as I developed confidence and honed my public speaking skills. Advocating for young carers at conferences taught me to express my opinions clearly, helping others understand my perspective. Despite struggling with imposter syndrome, staying busy with projects has been a positive outlet for me.

For more information on getting involved with Carers Trust, visit Carer participation and involvement at Carers Trust.