Step Into Isla's Experience: Your Behind-the-Scenes Look at Being a Youth Engagement Intern at the Scottish Young Carers Festival 2024

Join Isla as she shares her journey as a Youth Engagement Intern with Carers Trust Scotland. Discover her behind-the-scenes experiences, from creative social media tasks to hands-on involvement at the Scottish Young Carers Festival 2024.

As a Youth Engagement Intern at Carers Trust Scotland, I had the privilege of completing two months of work experience through the Robertson Trust Internship Scheme 2024.

My role involved working closely with the Youth Engagement Officer and collaborating with the Policy & External Affairs team, offering me a well-rounded experience that deepened my understanding of the organisation and its mission.

One of my main responsibilities throughout the internship was producing marketing content to promote the Scottish Young Carers Festival 2024 on the Carers Trust Scotland social media channels.

This not only allowed me to develop my skills in social media marketing but also connected me directly to the heart of the festival, an event that plays a crucial role in supporting young carers across Scotland.

The support I received during my internship was invaluable. I had regular check-ins with my manager to discuss my progress and how I was feeling in my role. These meetings were instrumental in boosting my confidence, as I always felt supported and guided.

Early on, I had the chance to meet various team members and get familiar with Carers Trust Scotland’s goals and values. This initial immersion was vital as it gave me a solid foundation for the work I would be doing.

I also learnt how to use content management software tools like Canva, which gave me valuable graphic design and content production experience. I quickly discovered that I enjoyed this creative aspect of the job, and designing graphics for social media posts soon became one of my favourite parts of my daily responsibilities.

As I got deeper into my internship, I delved into more detailed social media training, getting hands-on experience with Sprout Social, a scheduling platform that streamlined our posting process. These experiences enriched my understanding of the organisation’s wider work.

I had the opportunity to edit a press release for the Scottish Young Carers Festival and draft a Parliamentary Motion, both of which were great opportunities to refine my writing and editing skills.

Generating ideas for the Festival’s ‘Feedback Factory’ became another exciting part of my role, as I helped create a platform for young carers to share their thoughts and experiences.

Isla and Carers Trust Scotland team

I also worked on a social media toolkit for the festival, designed to help other organisations promote the event effectively. These tasks allowed me to get creative and take ownership of my work.

One of the highlights of my internship was attending part of a Young Adult Carer (YAC) Advisory Group residential. Spending the day in Edinburgh with the YAC Advisory Group, including a visit to the Scottish Parliament, was an enriching experience.

It not only expanded my knowledge of the Scottish Parliament but also improved my communication skills as I engaged with the young adult carers. This direct experience with the carers we support gave me a deeper insight into my role and the impact of our work.

An inspiring induction meeting with the Research and Influencing Officer sparked my interest in the research aspect of the organisation. I had the chance to shadow the Research and Influencing Officer, where I learned about the research cycle, drafting proposals, and various data collection methods.

This shadowing experience provided me with valuable insights into the research topics Carers Trust Scotland is focused on, and it highlighted the areas that need further exploration to support carers effectively.

Following this, I attended a research focus group with the University of Glasgow and the Scottish Tech Army, where we explored how technology can address challenges faced by unpaid carers.

This experience was particularly rewarding as it allowed me to combine my growing interest in research with my role at Carers Trust Scotland.

My absolute favourite task throughout the internship was creating a poster on Canva for the Feedback Factory at the Festival. I’ve always enjoyed graphic design, so this task was a perfect opportunity for me to express my creativity and think outside the box.

As I learned more about the different roles within Carers Trust, I found myself increasingly interested in social impact. This led to an insightful meeting with the Head of UK Social Impact, where I gained a deeper understanding of how impact is measured and maximised.

This discussion was eye-opening and further fueled my interest in the social impact sector.

The week of the Scottish Young Carers Festival was incredibly exciting. I was involved in setting up the site before attendees arrived and took on various duties during the festival, from supervising activities in the Wellbeing Zone to helping with the ‘Festival’s Got Talent’ show and the live band.

It was incredible to see the festival come together and to witness firsthand the positive impact it had on young carers. This experience reinforced the significance of my work and the importance of our collective efforts.

Additionally, during the festival, my fellow intern and I were interviewed by the Communications Manager of Carers Trust to discuss our internship experience. This interview was a great confidence booster, allowing me to reflect on my journey and articulate my growth over the past two months.

Overall, my internship at Carers Trust Scotland was a profoundly rewarding experience. It provided me with practical skills, deepened my understanding of the issues faced by young carers, and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to a cause I care about.

I would highly recommend this internship to anyone looking to make a difference and grow both personally and professionally.