New young carers scholarship launched to support education and wellbeing

Carers Trust Scotland, in partnership with The Education Academy Scotland and with funding from The Rangers Charity Foundation, has launched The Young Carers Scholarship, the first fully funded programme of its kind in Scotland.

The scholarship is designed to help young carers in the senior phase of secondary school thrive in their National 5 and Higher courses, while also recognising the unique challenges they face in balancing education with their caring responsibilities.

The Young Carers Scholarship goes beyond financial and educational support, offering:

• Practical Educational Support: tuition, revision resources and tailored study help.
• Wellbeing & Community: opportunities to connect with other young carers.
• Professional & Peer Connections: access to role models and mentors.
• Inspiration & Role Models: special events with individuals who have lived experience as carers.

Nicola Bell, Programme Lead (Scotland) at Carers Trust Scotland, said:

“Young carers face significant barriers in balancing their education with their caring role. Yet we know that when they have the right support, such as dedicated Young Carer Champions and flexibility, they thrive. We are delighted to be launching this new programme with The Education Academy to support young carers as they work towards their National 5 and Higher qualifications. No young person’s education should be impacted due to caring responsibilities. A huge thank you to The Rangers Charity Foundation as we pilot this innovative and flexible approach to learning for young carers.”

Gillian McKelvie, Communications and Partnership Executive at Rangers Charity Foundation, added:

“A huge part of our work in the community is based around educational opportunities and pathways towards employment for young people. We believe in their potential and want to ensure that young people with caring responsibilities can still achieve their goals in terms of their education and of course their longer term futures. It was therefore a natural fit for us to sponsor the Young Carers Scholarship places at the Education Academy via the Carers Trust, and we can’t wait to see what the young people we are supporting go on to achieve over the course of the year.”

The scholarship will provide fully funded access to a wide range of tuition and revision opportunities, including:

• Online monthly masterclasses
• In-person weekly lessons in Glasgow
• Intensive grade booster days during the Easter holidays.

This pioneering programme highlights the importance of recognising and supporting young carers in Scotland and ensuring that caring responsibilities do not limit young people’s futures.