From burnout to breakthrough: How Dylan found hope beyond caring
“Every day, I was cooking, cleaning, walking my dogs, and being a helping hand to my mum in times of crisis. I felt burnt out.”
Each day, Dylan balances life as a young adult with the pressures of caring for his mum and brother. His caring role came at a cost - his confidence, his friendships, and his belief that he had a future beyond caring.
Then he found Blackpool Carers Centre. He found people who understood him and gave him opportunities. This is the impact of the Young Carers Futures programme.
Young adult carers are twice as likely as their peers not to be in education, employment or training.
Without the right support, they can easily fall through the cracks. With funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the Young Carers Futures programme was designed to change that.
A key part of the project was creating a dedicated space for young carers to meet people who understood them and think about their own futures.
Caption: Grand opening of the young carers’ space in Blackpool (left) and the employability residential trip (right)
For Dylan, that space became a turning point. “The carers centre is a place where I can feel like myself and gain support whenever I need it. They empower you to be the best version of you.”
Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Carers Trust supporters, young carers like Dylan are now looking ahead with hope, instead of feeling trapped in their caring role. For young carers in Blackpool, life will always come with challenges.
But with the right support, they don’t have to face them alone. So the work continues, and we face it every day with vigour and passion.
