Fair Futures for young carers means better access to the creative arts
Across the UK, hundreds of thousands of young people quietly shoulder caring responsibilities every day. Young carers selflessly give their time and energy to look after people close to them, and all too often do not get the support and recognition they deserve. Research by Action for Children estimates that around 800,000 young carers aged 11–16 are caring for a family member in England alone.
Many face not only the burden of responsibility but also emotional strain and barriers to education. Carers face greater risks of physical and mental ill health, including higher rates of selfharm and poorer wellbeing than their peers.
The theme of this year’s Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) – “Fair Futures for Young Carers” – highlights the urgent need for increased support for these undervalued and overstretched young people. If we want to make a real difference in their lives in ways that build their skills, confidence and wellbeing, increasing their access to the creative arts should be a top priority.
Creative opportunities are not a luxury, they are essential. Decades of research proves the substantial mental health benefits of the arts, showing that regular singing, dancing, painting, and other cultural pursuits reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress for people of all ages. If any doubt still remains, Dr Daisy Fancourt’s recent book Art Cure brilliantly sums up the overwhelming evidence for the power of the arts to change lives for the better.
At Create, we know that access to creative experiences can be truly transformative. Our high quality arts projects, delivered by our professional artists and spanning 26 different artforms across the UK, give young carers rare time and space that is entirely their own. Our workshops enable young carers to discover new talents, make new friends, and experience the joy and freedom of creativity. These moments matter deeply for young carers whose daily lives are shaped by responsibility, routine and, too often, isolation.
The scale of the challenges they face remains alarming. Consistent research shows that young carers experience reduced educational attainment and higher absenteeism than their peers, difficulties highlighted in Carers Trust’s recent education report. Without targeted support, these pressures compound over time, impacting longterm life chances.
Creative arts engagement offers powerful ways to help address these inequalities. When young carers take part in our programmes, they step into environments where they are not defined by their caring role, where they can express themselves freely, and where their voices are heard. Creativity nurtures their emotional resilience and builds vital social connections.
Yet despite their value, the creative arts remain out of reach for many young carers. They may struggle to travel to extracurricular activities or lack the financial means to participate. That is why we bring our workshops directly to carers services, where young carers feel comfortable, supported, and safe. Every project we deliver is completely free to participants, because the ability to experience creativity should never depend on financial circumstances.
But continuing to provide these opportunities requires sustainable, committed funding that reflects the life-changing impact of the arts. As a society, we must recognise creativity not as an optional extra, but as a vital part of holistic support for vulnerable young people.
Create is marking YCAD with an online Showcase of work by young carers from five carer services across the UK. The event features drama, music, painting, puppetry, and textiles, specially created by young carers for the day, celebrating their talent, resilience and incredible creative potential.
We know that creativity changes lives. Let’s ensure that every young carer can experience its transformative power leading to Fair Futures for all.
By Nicky Goulder MBE, Founding CEO of Create
