Young Carers Action Day 2024: A creative and empowering event at The Station

20th April 2025

On 2nd April, in celebration of Young Carers Action Day, the Young Carers Service, in partnership with Creative Youth Network, hosted an inspiring event at The Station in central Bristol.

Planned by members of Young Carers Voice, the day brought together 54 young carers from six schools across the city for a fun, creative, and empowering experience. 

The event featured a variety of workshops, offering something for everyone. Young carers explored drama with ACTA Community Theatre, practiced football skills with Bristol Rovers, experimented with effects to create short videos, and took part in a calming wellbeing session—both delivered by Creative Youth Network. Over lunch, young carers had time to connect, explore a range of interactive stalls, and access information on services and support available to them. 

Thanks to the support of local organisations—including Off the Record, City of Bristol College, Bristol Drugs Project, and Young Carers Development Trust—young carers could find out about wellbeing support, education and training opportunities, and help with emotional and mental health. 

The event ended with a powerful hour of discussion. Four key decision-makers were invited to hear directly from young carers: the Chair of the Children and Young People’s Committee, the Director of Education, the Chair of the Education Reference Group (which includes all school heads), and the Young Carers Commissioner. These professionals listened as young carers shared what would make a real difference in schools. 

Feedback from the day showed that: 

• 93% of young carers rated the day 4 or 5 out of 5 for enjoyment. 
• 83% felt more connected with other young carers.
• 72% reported learning more about the support available to them. 

 
Words young carers used to describe the day included:

“Amazing” “Encouraging” “Informative”

“Entertaining” “Heard, “Seen” “Protected.”  

What Young Carers say: Improving Support in schools 

During the final session, young carers shared their ideas on how schools could better support them. Their suggestions focused on four key themes: 

1. Support for Wellbeing 

• Access to 1:1 emotional support and mental health breaks 
• Drop-in sessions specifically for young carers 
• Young carers diaries to help manage emotions 
• Use of headphones to self-regulate during class 
• Permission to use phones during the day to check in on the person they care for 
• Increased funding for young carer support groups in school 

2. A Break from Caring 

• More fun clubs and social groups for young carers 
• School-organised trips or outings to help them unwind and connect 

3. Help with Schoolwork 

• Flexible learning options, like joining lessons remotely when they can't attend in person 
• Homework support when they’ve fallen behind due to caring responsibilities 

4. Awareness and Inclusion 

• Better understanding from teachers about young carer challenges 
• Lesson content that educates others about what it means to be a young carer 
• Clear identification and inclusion of young carers—similar to how schools support students with ADHD—so they feel recognised, accepted, and supported 

What decision-makers said in response 

The attending decision-makers made strong pledges to act: 

• Chair of CYP Committee: Raise awareness among education staff; identify schools that didn’t attend and follow up; feedback the event outcomes to headteachers and academy trust CEOs. 
• Chair of Education Reference Group: Explore what support currently exists and improve awareness among school leadership and teaching teams. 
• Director of Education: Promote a belonging-focused behaviour policy that recognises young carers; improve identification of young carers to better support them. 
• Young Carers Commissioner: Commit to working with young carers and supporting organisations to co-develop Bristol City Council’s new Young Carers Strategy. 

Young Carers Voice has asked these decision-makers to report back in six months on the progress they’ve made. The service will continue working closely with both young carers and professionals to make sure real improvements happen.