Pioneering employability scheme helps transform the lives of over 300 young adult carers

Two innovative pilot projects have helped more than 300 young adult carers in Blackpool and Fife to boost their employment skills and transform their futures.

The Young Carers Futures projects, funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and backed by national charity Carers Trust, were delivered at Blackpool Carers Centre and Fife Young Carers Centre.

Young adult carers are people aged 16 to 25 who provide vital care to family or friends with a disability, illness or addiction. The added responsibilities of caring mean they are three times as likely as their peers to not be in education, employment or training.

The one-year projects, which have just finished, allowed young adult carers to access support, engage in social activities, join pre-employability workshops and respite activities. Key to their success was creating a dedicated space for young carers where carers could step away from responsibility, meet people who understood, and think about their own futures.

Both carers’ centres built stronger relationships with local businesses, colleges and training providers, making sure that young carers weren’t overlooked when it came to jobs, apprenticeships or education. Through CV workshops, the young carers understood all about the transferable skills they have gained from their roles at home.

Carers were also invited to share their experience with employers including the BBC, Department of Work and Pensions, M&S and SSE Energy. In total, the projects collaborated with more than 90 educators, employers and local organisations.

Carson, 23, from Fife is a carer for his younger brother who lives with Down’s syndrome, autism and other conditions. His brother needs 24-hour care and Carson helps with his medication, food, dressing and keeping him entertained.

He said:

“I’m in my final year of college so it’s perfect timing where I need to think about getting a job. I won’t fully stop my caring role obviously but I need to be getting on with my own life at the age I am. It’s also a great opportunity because I’m currently in the process of applying for a BBC apprenticeship which I learned about from the programme.

“Being a carer was never something I put on my CV but I have revised it to include that now. Previously I was always worried about not having that experience and skills displayed on my CV, especially at 23 where I feel I should have something to put there.

"But realising that employers maybe do want to know this and do want to know that the skills I have developed with my caring role can be transferred into other areas has been a real confidence boost.”

Allison Logan, Service Manager at Fife Young Carers, said:

“The projects allowed for learning, upskilling and opportunities to spend time with peers. This lessened social isolation whilst still being a chance to learn new things. Trips and the employability residential allowed for more than just learning.

"They had opportunities to relax and unwind, spend time doing things they wouldn’t usually have the time or means to do and spend time with peers without the demands of their caring roles.

“It has been a super successful project and has influenced a lot of positive changes and progress that we will continue to build on.”

Samantha Howard, Young Adult Carers Development Worker at Blackpool Carers Centre, said:

“This programme has been vital for young adult carers who often face many barriers to education and employment due to their responsibilities at home. By offering tailored support to individuals, we are able to build upon existing skills and goals.

"We have been fortunate enough to create some incredible partnerships with local services and employers who have supported us in delivering CV workshops and offering 'working interviews' to give young adult carers an insight into the world of employment.

“One of the most valuable benefits of this programme was empowering young adult carers to include information about their caring role on their CV. We hope to continue this work into the future and proceed to highlight the value of the next generation of carers within education and employment.”

Daisy Falconer, Young Carers Programme Manager at Carers Trust, said:

“Young adult carers are three times as likely to be not in education, employment or training as their peers. They’ve spent years putting their families first, carrying responsibilities far beyond their years.

“That’s why this programme had to be about more than just jobs. It wasn’t just about getting young carers into work - it was about raising aspirations, helping them see a future beyond caring.

"The results have been astonishing and the change in these young people wouldn’t have been possible without their local carers centres and the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. We hope to expand these opportunities so even more young carers can build the future they deserve.”

For more about how Carers Trust is supporting young adult carers into employment through our Young Carers Futures programme, visit the website.