Young Carers Action Day 2024 is all about Fair Futures for Young Carers.
We can all play a part in making fair futures for young carers a reality: governments, local authorities, schools, colleges, charities - everyone.
So, we are really excited to be launching The Young Carers Covenant for this year's Young Carers Action Day. This is where you can make your promise to help secure Fair Futures for Young Carers.
There's a wide range of inspiring carers' stories and videos where young carers talk openly about the challenges they face as well as what a fair future looks like for them.
Together with our research partners at St George's University and University College London (UCL), we have published a policy brief which highlights the prevalence of young carers in socio-economically disadvantaged areas and households. You can read the policy briefing here.
Our Young Carers Futures Hub is where you can find out more about our ongoing work to create fair futures for young adult carers as they move into the world of work and training. If you're a young adult carer, find out more about the support we can provide.
And if you're an employer, find out more about how your business can create a fair future for young carers.
Take a look at our series of inspiring films featuring young carers and young adult carers. They talk openly about the challenges they face at school and college, as well as when they enter the workplace. And they tell us what a fair future looks like for them.
You can also hear from employers and education professionals. Teachers describe how supporting young carers at school makes all the difference in helping them juggle their caring role with learning and schoolwork. And a manager in an innovative Civil Service partnership with Carers Trust reveals how young adult carers can bring unique skills and attributes into the workplace.
If you'd like to help us create Fair Futures for Young Carers please donate using the link below
Most adults would buckle under the weight of responsibility on Kiesha’s shoulders. At just 19, she is the primary carer for her mum, nan and two brothers – who all live with a variety of physical and mental health conditions. She left college because they didn't understand her caring situation - but she still wants to learn.
Dante, 18, has cared for his mum ever since he can remember. Throughout school, many teachers did not understand his situation. But since he started coming to Harrow Young Carers nearly ten years ago, Dante has always felt understood. As an aspiring videographer and photographer, they are helping him on his way to his dream career.
Despite all the many obstacles thrown in her way throughout her life - homelessness, bullying, depression and the near-death of her father - Chalukya is now on her way to her dream career as a men's fashion designer. But only because she got the right support, at the right time.
Meera has been looking after her younger brother and sister, who have autism, since she was 11. Some of her teachers at school did recognise her situation, but others struggled to understand why she may be late or miss class. Harrow Carers are now supporting Meera throughout her time at college, helping her on her way to becoming a pastry chef.
In her poem Jigsaw Pieces, young adult carer Holly Cobb takes up this year's theme for Young Carers Action Day - Fair Futures for Young Carers - and imagines what that means for her.
Read Poem