Young carers from Southwark participated in our art:space dance project with Create dancer Georgie Mizu. Developed in 2007 in partnership with British Land, art:space was our first project with young carers and has been running for 17 years. The project continues to give young carers vital time to do something for themselves and a way to express themselves through the creative arts.
Young carer Milly shared her experiences with us.
BEING CREATIVE
Everybody has a spark of creativeness deep-down, and it can come out at any time.
Milly
“I don’t always get to be creative at home, but at art:space I’ve been able to show my creativity through dance. There are so many different variations of dance, beyond what I knew before. This project has let me explore silk dancing, choreography, and music.
“I’ve also had the chance to listen and learn from other people’s ideas and work with others to create something incredible!”
BUILDING CONFIDENCE
“We’ve created choreography which we’re going to perform in front of our parents.”
I’ve loved being a part of building the choreography. I’ve got to create something of my own to add to the group dances.
MILLY
“Working with Georgie and Joe [Create artists] has been so lovely, I could really relate to Georgie as she felt like an older version of me! I’d love to work with them again.”
SHOWING EMOTION
You can make someone happy by dancing. There are certain dances that can change a mood, an emotion, or how someone is feeling. It’s inspiring.
Milly
“I feel so happy and calm when I dance; it lets me truly be creative and express myself. I hope other people can be inspired by our dances and seeing me follow my dreams performing on stage.”
During October half term in 2023, Create artist Renata Minoldo led a visual art project with young carers in Barnet. This enabled the young carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities, have fun, learn new skills, build relationships and express themselves.
We spoke to Daliya (12), a young carer from Barnet who took part in the project.
THE IMPACT OF BEING A YOUNG CARER
According to research conducted by Carers Trust (2023), caring often affects the amount of time young carers can spend with their friends. In fact, 40% of young and young adult carers reported that their caring responsibilities significantly impact their social interactions. As a result, 26% of them feel excluded from their friends’ activities, creating a sense of isolation and disconnection.
Create’s projects give young carers the opportunity to connect with others and explore their creativity and self-expression in high-quality creative arts workshops led by our professional artists.
Daliya’S STORY
“My mum has dermatomyositis and it makes it really difficult to walk and she’ll get tired really easily. She has breathing problems and muscle problems as well. So, probably about the time I was 10, I started taking care of her a lot. And I always help her in day-to-day stuff, for example doing the laundry, because it will be quite difficult for her to do it.
I think being a young carer I’ve had quite a different experience to other people my age.
DALIYA
“You have much more responsibility to take care of your parent. And then on top of that you have school work and then you also have to think of yourself. So, it’s a big impact compared to other people my age. If we have homework to do, I have to have that free time to do so, but most of the time I’m taking care of my mum. Sometimes I can be quite difficult.
“But it’s also such a great thing. You’ve learnt something like a chore that’s quite difficult to do at a certain age. So, it’s really great to learn those skills. And I feel like I have a mindset to my future.”
DOING CREATE PROJECTS
“We’ve been creating jewellery and using fabric and different materials. It was nice because I got to use my creativity and imagination. I’ve learnt a lot about using different materials and I’ve learnt wirework as well. I found that I am really good at imagination and learning colour combinations. And I’m really good at remembering things so next time I’ll remember how to do it. I was really happy with what I made. I was actually quite proud of myself.
“I do creative things very rarely. Before I joined Barnet Young Carers, I didn’t really have materials to do arts and crafts. Barnet Young Carers help me quite a lot.”
“The (Create) projects help carers especially in the half term. Instead of sitting at home, we can go out and about, socialise with others. Instead of sitting at home, we can be here doing different activities and having fun.”
“I’ve loved to socialise with other people and share our ideas. It was nice because you can talk to other people, you can have fun. We got to communicate and if someone needed help we could go and help them. I learnt that if we’re stuck it’s ok to ask others for help.”
This project was funded by Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust
There are more than one million carers aged under 18 in the UK and an estimated 600,000 others aged 18 to 25, according to a 2023 Carers Trust study. The study further found that 56% of young carers said the cost-of-living crisis affects them and their family. Our change:matters programme uses the creative arts to upskills young carers about family finances.
In February 2024, Create musician Mike Poyser delivered a music project with young carers in Bromley. Over the course of three days, participants worked together to create pieces of music showcasing what they had learnt about finances.
We spoke to young carer, Avita (13) about her experience on the project and her role as a young carer.
AVITA’S JOURNEY WITH CREATE
Avita’s time with Create has provided her with a much-needed break from her caregiving duties.
“I care for my mum. She has myasthenia gravis, like muscle weaknesses. It’s always ups and downs so I have to take care of her. Sometimes she’ll feel really energetic, but sometimes she won’t be. It’s different every day. And then when I was four, when my brother was born, it got really bad. So, I was looking after my little brother because my mum was always really ill. And my older brother was looking after her. I was changing my little brother’s nappies and I was cleaning him and stuff.”
Through Create’s project Avita has had the opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills.
“I’ve enjoyed that I’ve made some friends and it’s also given me a confidence boost with my music skills. I think this might make me start going to school [music] lessons. Everyone is really nice. It’s quite fun working with other people who I don’t know. Or people in my community. I know that they’re young carers as well, so I know it’s not just me and my brothers who are taking care of parents.”
Avita’s experience with Create has also provided her with financial literacy skills. “I really enjoyed learning about money and the way it works and how much things really cost and just adding it all up. By the end of the year it could cost so much. It’s really expensive, life now! Before, every time we go out, I’d want to get things, but now I realise that every little thing adds up.”
It’s going to help when we’re older, knowing about how things cost, and how to budget.
AVITA
This resonates with the findings of Carers Trust, which highlights the growing concern among young carers regarding financial stability. Their research reveals that 57% of respondents admitted to “always” or “usually” worrying about the cost of living and the continuous increase in expenses.
LIFE AS A YOUNG CARER
“I do get to go out with my friends, but I have lots of things I have to do before I go out. I either clean the house or do dishes or laundry before I leave. If my friends ask me after school ‘can you go out?’, I just say ‘no’, because I know there’s loads of stuff I need to do as well. My friends have a lot of freedom, I don’t. But I do get a bit more freedom now my brother is older.”
“I always ask my friends questions about their life as well. So, my friends don’t really know how to cook. My friend says she eats pot noodles all the time if her parents aren’t home, but me and my brothers always make food. I taught my little brother how to make simple things like cakes. But I’ve really improved my cooking and cleaning skills. I think I have a lot more skills.”
“I feel ok [about my future]. I do like studying quite a bit and I’m quite an independent worker in school. But if I always have to take care of my mum, I feel there’s more to it than that. I might have an opportunity, I might not. “
This project was funded by The Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity.
During February 2023, Create artist Poppy Love-Oldham led a visual art project with young carers in Dorset. The project enabled the young carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities, have fun, learn new skills, build relationships and express themselves.
We spoke to Harriet, a young carer from Dorset who took part in the project.
EXPLORING ART
“I took part in the art project. The first day we learnt how to make different things out of clay; we made some flat shapes first where we could put stamps in. Then we made some 3D stuff afterwards, so I made a tealight. We also did some printing.
“I’d never learnt about most of these artforms before. I particularly enjoyed cyanotype where we cut out sections of paper and put it in the sun, then watched it change colour. I get to do art at school, but these were all new types of art for me. Poppy, the artist, helped us by explaining everything clearly.
DISCOVERING COMMUNITY
“If you’re stuck on something, someone else could have a different point of view… You can all say your opinion.”
“Although I was really apprehensive about meeting people, it was really nice to work together. We all got to create art and help each other. I was nervous that people would judge me or not listen, because I’d never been to a young carers project before. Everyone shared their opinions and supported one another – it was really nice! I learnt that if you’re stuck on something, someone else could have a different point of view and you can all say your opinion.”
taking a break
“Being creative helps you wind down.”
I’ve found that being creative helps you wind down a little bit. If something is going on, it helps you escape. Taking part in this project has helped me meet other people like me and have a break from my caring responsibilities. I loved just being able to sit down, relax, and be creative.”
*Names have been changed to protect participant anonymity.
We work with young carers across the UK, providing creative opportunities that enable them to find supportive communities and discover their potential. inspired:arts is one of our flagship projects, enabling young carers to experience a variety of creative artforms, build their confidence, enhance their wellbeing and express their feelings through art.
In February 2023, young carers from Uxbridge took part in a three-day photography project with professional artist Sam Ivin. During the project, participants got experimental with photography and connected with each other through creativity.
We spoke to Jack*, a young carer who took part in the project.
“With the help of (artist) Sam, we’ve been doing photography and learning how to create art from it. This has involved exploring different mediums, like polaroid pictures and masks. It’s been nice to have the opportunity to learn all of this from a professional artist. I’ve enjoyed that even when there’s a specific task we’re doing, we still get our own sense of freedom within it.
“BEING CREATIVE HAS HELPED MY MENTAL HEALTH”
Creativity has really helped with my mental health, especially doing art with other people. It’s helped me take my mind off of everything and focus on something else for a little while.”
“I’ve learnt that even if it takes time, I can actually do stuff and I shouldn’t be giving up as quickly as I sometimes do. We’ve been working as a group and helping each other. I’ve loved learning the group’s ideas and styles and then using them to influence my own. I’ve learnt that it’s so much easier to create art than I first thought, and it’s been really fun to get involved. I’ve also learnt that you don’t need the most expensive cameras to make good art.
“Being creative felt good because sometimes everything is stressful, especially as I have assessments coming up. It’s been nice to be able to do something else besides that. Creativity has really helped with my mental health, especially doing art with other people. It’s helped me take my mind off of everything and focus on something else for a little while.”
*Names have been changed to protect participant anonymity.
Young carers from Hackney participated in our inspired:arts visual art project with Create artist Liz Jackson. The project – delivered as part of our ongoing partnership with Jackson’s Bread – incorporated the theme of wellbeing into a series of visual arts activities, including collage and tie-dye.
inspired:arts gives young carers vital time to do something for themselves, connect with others and a chance to express themselves through creativity.
Young carer Nadia* (11) shared her experience taking part in the project.
MY LIFE AS A CARER
“I care for my two little brothers, as I am their older sister. I first started caring when I was eight years old. As much as it’s my parents’ responsibility, it’s sometimes my responsibility as well. My life as a young carer is different because I have more opportunities to do stuff, like go out on trips and meet new people. Being a young carer has helped me gain skills others my age may not have.
“During the Create project we’ve been creating collages and learning about wellbeing and how we should look after ourselves and our mental health. I enjoyed making the collages because there were a lot of images I found that really represented me, like space themed pictures and cats. We used tie-dye to make our own books, and we made some charms to add to our books. We were shown step-by-step how to make the book to be homemade.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATIVITY
I learnt a lot, and it was really nice working with the rest of the group because I made friends.
“It felt good to do art because I’m really creative. People always tell me I have a big imagination. The staff and teachers were there to help me when I needed them, and Liz [Create Artist] would help me if I was stuck, because some of the things I found tricky to complete. I learnt a lot, and it was really nice working with the rest of the group because I made friends.
“Being creative is important because not everyone has the chance or time when they’re at home. They might have siblings to look after. Opportunities like this give people the chance to let their mind rest. It gives young carers a chance to be free and be a child while they still can.
*Names have been changed to protect participant anonymity.
Meet young carer Layla: “THERE ARE NO RULES TO CREATIVITY!”
Young carers from Tunbridge Wells participated in our art:space 3D sculpture project with Create artist Sam Haynes. Developed in 2007 in partnership with British Land, art:space was our first project with young carers and has been running for 16 years. The project continues to give young carers vital time to do something for themselves and a way to express themselves through the creative arts.
Young carer Layla (11) took part in our art:space 3D sculpture project and shared her experiences with us.
Young carers creating 3D models
“On this project we have been making crowns out of wire and lots of different materials such as foam and plastic jewels. We cut the foam how we wanted to and stuck it to the crown and it was it was really fun. We’re making a sculpture of two crowns which is going to be displayed in Royal Victoria Place. “I’ve enjoyed making new friends on this project, getting messy, and overall just creating stuff because I don’t often get the opportunity to be creative at home. I’ve learnt that sculpture looks quite easy but really, it’s not. You need practice. And obviously you get really messy, so you need to be used to that as well. But when I complete my artwork, I feel like I’ve achieved something. It’s like a reward that I made for myself. It’s the finishing touch. At the end of a race, you get a medal. At the end of an art project, you get that final piece of artwork. It makes you feel really happy.
at the end of a race, you get a medal. at the end of an art project, you get that final piece of artwork. it makes you feel really happy.
layla
art is everywhere
“The project made me feel really positive emotions. I’ve been a creative person since I was young but I don’t normally have many resources to make art at home, so it’s nice to do something different. If you’ve been painting your whole life, it’s nice to try a different artform. If you have that creative mindset, you can do anything. You don’t always have to use your paints and your hands, you can use your feet if you want to. There’s no rules to creativity.
Young carer and Create artist Sam Haynes spray painting their models
“We would have nothing if it wasn’t for art, because art isn’t just painting. Art is making things, art can even be baking, it can be cooking. Putting up a shelf is artistic because you’re decorating your house. Sometimes you’re creating and you don’t notice it, so it’s really important because we do it much more than we expect.
There are no rules to creativity!
layla
“One thing this project has taught me is that you don’t always have to be good at art to be creative. Not everyone is going to like your artwork anyway. You can be the best artist in the world and still, not everyone is going to like your work. Someone could look at an art project and say ‘that is the best art project I’ve ever seen’, and then someone could say ‘I really don’t like it’. But it shouldn’t stop you creating. The point of being an artist is you don’t care what other people think, you care what you think. If you don’t like it, that’s when you need to improve it. But if someone else doesn’t like it, don’t listen to them. That shouldn’t affect you because you made that piece of art and you should be happy that you made it.
creating together
Young carers creating their models and making new friends on art:space Tunbridge Wells
“Working with [Create artist] Sam was good. I find her funny. Working with the rest of the group was very entertaining because I made new friends. It was really cool because the group is really funny and kind and we joked around all the time. The project has taught me independence because I’ve learned that I don’t always need to be with my friends. Being creative with other people on the project helped me make new friends and build connections. If you make good friends through something creative, you’ll want to be creative together again. It’s not like you meet them and then you never see them again. You can actually meet someone and say, ‘Hey, I think we’re going to be pretty good friends. We should stay in touch.”
art:space is a partnership with British Land.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH BRITISH LAND
BRITISH LAND: A 20-YEAR PARTNERSHIP
“We focus on how we can maximise our social impact and use that to create thriving places. By working with Create, we’ve been able to leverage our strengths and our resources to achieve this.”
In February 2023, a group of young carers from Cambridge participated in our art:space music project with Create musician Kate Smith. Developed in 2007 with British Land, art:space was our first programme with young carers, and continues to provide young carers in different geographical locations with respite and the chance to develop their creative skills, build their confidence and make new friends.
Anna (13) took part in the three-day art:space music project in Cambridge. She shared her experiences with us.
“I’ve been a carer for a few years now. My sister had brain surgery for a brain tumour three years ago. Since then, she’s been on medication. She has been affected long-term because her brain was damaged, and it’s had some emotional effects on her too. I also care for my mum who has ADHD, and I look after both of them as my dad isn’t around. I started caring when I was young and I didn’t really understand everything, but now I get the support I need.
“I NEVER STOPPED SMILING WHEN WE PLAYED MUSIC TOGETHER.”
anna, young carer
discovering creativity
“Before coming to the project, I wanted to do a lot more music but I didn’t know how to get started. The project allowed us to create our own music on guitar and percussion instruments. Kate taught us all the different sounds we can create. We’ve learnt about the different instruments you can hit, and how we can use our body to create sounds. It has given me a lot of inspiration and I feel I’ve got the motivation to try new things. It might encourage me to write a few more songs.
“I think being creative opens a lot of opportunities and thoughts, especially at a young age like mine. In school we do music lessons, but otherwise I don’t always get the opportunity to be creative. Sometimes if I’m in a mood or have something in my brain, I’ll just write it down and see if I can create something. This project was definitely something different and nice to do.
building community
“It’s been great getting to know everyone and meeting a whole bunch of new people. I’ve liked learning about their caring role, that’s been really fun. I never stopped smiling when we were playing music as a group. It was great to be together, and learn about each other’s experiences.
While on the project, we got to meet Dame Evelyn Glennie (Create Patron) at her studio. She showed us a range of percussion instruments, and even let us have a turn playing them! I like when she showed me this plucking instrument, it makes a really nice sound. I was a bit nervous but I got to play it, which was nice. Meeting Dame Evelyn was one of my personal project highlights!
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