Newport Young Carers

Young Carers Festival

Every year, in partnership with YMCA Fairthorne Manor, we hold a festival as part of the process of recognising, informing and consulting with young carers in order to better meet the needs of them and their families.

Since the first Young Carers Festival in 2000 when 600 young carers arrived at YMCA Fairthorne Manor in Hampshire, the festival has grown, with up to 1800 young carers now attending every year.

The festival provides the young people with the opportunity to have fun, relax, socialise and have their voices heard about issues that affect them. The outcomes from participatory consultations inform future work and are communicated to the government.

Over the years we have consulted with young people on a range of issues including education, health, social care and whole family support.

The theme for 2019 Young Carers festival was ‘Fit for the future’ which came out of a recent steering group meeting with young people. Many of them spoke about their struggles with mental health and well being, their difficulties in making informed decisions, transitioning into adulthood and future aspirations. 

www.childrenssociety.org.uk/youngcarer/young-carers-festival