YOUNG CARERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE: CREATIVITY, SELF-EXPRESSION AND WELLBEING ON YCAD 2025

Recent research indicates that there are over 800,000 young carers in the UK, with many more potentially unrecognised. These young people often juggle significant responsibilities, providing care for a family member or friend who has physical or mental health conditions, or some form of addiction. Their caregiving role can profoundly impact their education, social interactions, and overall wellbeing.​

To shed light on their experiences and needs, Create has partnered with Carers Trust for Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) 2025. This year’s theme – “Give Me a Break” – highlights the importance of allowing young carers time to focus on their own wellbeing. Through four creative projects, young carers from all four nations have expressed themselves through puppetry, photography, printmaking, collage and more. Their artwork was featured in a special online showcase on Wednesday 12 March 2025, offering them a platform to share their stories and perspectives.​

GIVING YOUNG CARERS A CREATIVE VOICE

Create’s Founding CEO, Nicky Goulder MBE, commented:

“We are delighted to be giving young carers a voice and showcasing their creativity on YCAD 2025. The needs of these young people who selflessly look after their loved ones should be much higher on the agenda in our society, and it’s a privilege to help raise awareness of this through our longstanding partnership with Carers Trust. The showcase is also a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness of the power of the creative arts to empower lives.”

“Through our creative workshops, young carers have been able to develop their creative and social skills, build their confidence, and nurture their wellbeing. We are proud of what they have achieved.”​

Nicky goulder mbe

Vicky Morgan, Carers Trust’s Head of Young Carers and Young Adult Carers, said:

“It’s been wonderful to see Create’s experts bring out the best in our young carers. The sessions they run have led to some outstanding and powerful artwork.”

Vicky Morgan

“This year’s Young Carers Action Day is all about the importance of breaks and Create’s brilliant sessions certainly allowed our carers to enjoy some much-needed downtime away from their caring responsibilities. I can’t wait for everyone to see what they came up with.”

YCAD 2025 PROJECTS

This year, during February half-term, Create’s professional artists led workshops in all four nations. These provided 36 young carers with an outlet for their creativity and an opportunity to step away from their responsibilities. The projects were:​

  • England (Enfield Carers Centre): Puppetry with Create artists Robyn Olivia and Isobel Mei-Taylor​
  • Northern Ireland (Action for Children): Photography with Create photographer Adele Watts​
  • Scotland (Quarriers Carer Support Service Moray): Visual Art with Create artist Lucy Marriott​
  • Wales (North East Wales Carers Information Service): Printmaking and Collage with Create artists Julia Roy-Williams and Oscar Simms​

These workshops allowed young carers to explore various art forms, collaborate with one another and professional artists, and create meaningful pieces reflecting the “Give Me a Break” theme. The resulting showcase celebrates their creativity, resilience and talents.​

THE IMPACT OF CARING

Young carers often struggle to balance their responsibilities with education, social activities, and self-care. According to Carers Trust’s latest survey, nearly one in five young carers (17%) rarely or never get a break, while 40% say they can only take a break some of the time. Just 15% report that they can take a break whenever they want.

Additionally, the survey found that 72% of young carers miss out on school holidays due to their caregiving responsibilities. 49% said they miss out on friendships, while 46% reported missing hobbies. Almost two-thirds (65%) said they lacked time for themselves, and 19% felt they were missing out on their education.

One young carer shared their experience:

“I feel bad for taking breaks, and when I have time for myself, I’m always thinking that I could be doing something else to help out. It’s isolating because I can’t meet up with friends. I can text, but it’s just not the same. Everyone’s planning their holidays and trips, but I know I can’t go on holiday.”

Through creative arts activities, young carers not only gain a break from their responsibilities but also develop essential life skills such as teamwork, communication and self-expression. The YCAD showcase serves as a reminder of the importance of creative engagement in empowering young people and giving them a voice.

WATCH THE SHOWCASE