Raising awareness on Young Carers Action Day

Today is Young Carers Action Day (13 March) which aims to raise awareness of the pressures placed on so many young people with caring responsibilities.

There are an estimated one million young carers in the UK – children looking after a family member or friend who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol. A recent inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers found these responsibilities are having a devastating effect on young people’s education and future prospects.

This annual event is organised by Carers Trust, one of King Charles III Charitable Fund’s strategic funding partners. This year’s theme is Fair Futures For Young Carers, highlighting how young and young adult carers are significantly less likely to undertake higher education or enter employment than their peers without a caring responsibility.

King Charles III Charitable Fund is delighted to be attending an online showcase event to mark Young Carers Action Day. Young carers from four carers services have taken part in creative projects and produced art work linked to this year’s theme. Young carers from Sefton Carers, Bromley Well Young Carers, Carers Trust Hillingdon and Crossroads Together (Cheshire) have worked with creative artists to produce music, photography, puppetry and animation all linked to the theme. This is a wonderful opportunity for young carers to take a break from their caring role, meet other young carers and learn new skills.

Nikki Jeffery, Executive Director of the Fund, said

‘Today on Young Carers Action Day it is incredibly important to recognize all that young carers do and raise awareness of the pressures they face. The Fund is proud to support such important work and ensure that carers voices are heard. We hope that Young Carers Action Day will inspire support across the UK to help young people with caring responsibilities.’

You can learn more about Young Carers Action Day at www.carerstrust.org.