Young carers head east for day of fun

A chance for the young carers to relax and enjoy themselves

Over 100 young carers from Glasgow joined in the celebrations at the third annual Scottish Young Carers Festival held at the Broomlee Outdoor Centre in West Linton last weekend.

Organised by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and funded by the Scottish Government, almost 500 young carers from across the country – who look after a sick or disabled family member – enjoyed drama, comedy and animation workshops run by BBC Scotland.

There was also dancing at a silent disco and a talent show judged by former Miss Scotland Katharine Brown, all of which gave them a break from their commitments at home.

One young carer who attended the Festival was Sarah, 15. Sarah cares for her mum who has MS. She said: ‘I love coming to the Festival as everyone here is in the same boat and you don’t feel different. I can’t speak to my friends about being a young carer, but everyone here understands me. The silent disco was awesome! I think the Festival should be on for a week next year.’

The young carers also had a chance to speak Health Minister Shona Robison and Children’s Minister Adam Ingram about their lives and the support they need.

Louise Morgan, Young Carers Services Development Manager at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, said: ‘We are pleased that hundreds of young carers enjoyed the Festival this year and are grateful to the Scottish Government for funding it.

‘We are also pleased that the young carers had a chance to speak to MSPs who all agreed that young carers’ services need to continue and expand.’