Carers Trust & Movement to Work host first ever ‘Youth Voice Roundtable’ with top employers

Carers Trust and Movement to Work hosted a groundbreaking event yesterday bringing together young adult carers and representatives of some of the UK’s top employers and business brands.

The event, Youth Voice Roundtable, took place at the offices of Quilter Plc in the City of London.

Young adult carers often find it hard to juggle the challenges of their caring role with getting experience and advice on how to move from education into the working world.

So today’s event provided an incredible opportunity to tap into expert advice from some of the UK’s leading employers including BT, Marriott Hotels, ISG (Global Construction Services), WTW (Willis Towers Watson), NRS Healthcare and Quilter Plc.  

The event focused on the career aspirations of the young adult carers as well as the barriers they face when looking to move into employment. Employers gave young adult carers useful insight into how they could realise their aspirations by sharing the strategies they use to recruit and retain young people in their organisation.

Employers and young adult carers on the event

Emma Jones, Quilter Plc Inclusion and Well-being HR business partner, said:

"I found great value in participating in today's round table event, jointly hosted by Movement to Work and Carers Trust. The discussions on challenges, barriers, and opportunities for young carers in gaining work experience or employment were incredibly insightful."

"A special thanks to the Quilter Foundation for arranging the event at Senator House. The insights gained have left me thoughtful and keen to explore what Quilter can do to support young carers careers and opportunities to thrive."

There are approximately one million young people in the UK providing care for a sick or disabled relative. Many young adult carers experience mental, time and financial stress as a result of their caring role and need additional support to compete in the job market with their peers without a caring role.

Events like the ‘Youth Voice Roundtable’ helps young adult carers gain invaluable insight that helps them move towards realising their aspirations.

One of the young adult carers, Azed, said:

"I’m really grateful that you organised today’s event and allowed me to participate. I can say for certain that guidance on future aspirations is a key struggle young carers have, so today’s event was a unique opportunity to speak directly with employers. I’m glad that not only did I learn from them, but hopefully they learn a bit here or there from me too."

Young adult carer, Clesha from Camden Carers, said:

''Thank you to Carers Trust for arranging a day dedicated to enhancing the employment prospects of young carers, like me. Today's experience had a profound impact on me, particularly in building my confidence when engaging with employers.

"It highlighted the transferable skills I possess as a carer—resilience, remaining calm in stressful situations, and the organisational/time management—and emphasised how these skills seamlessly translate into the professional space. Moreover, it reignited my ambition to carve a meaningful path for myself, that my caring responsibilities reduced in me."

"After months out of the labour market and feeling apprehensive about candidly discussing my caregiving responsibilities with prospective employers. Today, I was given the opportunity to have this dialogue with employers about how they can offer support."

"It has rejuvenated my confidence to openly address the hurdles I might face and collaborate with employers to foster a supportive work environment beneficial for both employees and employers."

"To my fellow young carers and all employers, I urge you to continue these important conversations and participate in events like the one I attended today. The insights gained are invaluable."

A big thank to all employer representatives and young adult carers from Camden Carers, Harrow Carers, Brighton & Hove Carers Centre, Carers of Barking & Dagenham, Carers Trust Solihull and Carers First (Medway) who attended the 'Youth Voice Roundtable'.

About the Young Carers Futures programme

This event is part of Carers Trust’s Young Carers Futures (YCF) programme that brings together young adult carers with some of the UK’s leading brands and employers.

It is the only UK-wide programme focused on raising awareness amongst employers of the impact caring has on the life chances of young adult carers. Young Carers Futures (YCF) seeks to level the playing field for young adult carers into employment.

Find out more about how Carers Trust is supporting young adult carers into employment through our Young Carers Futures programme.