The recent Young Carers Festival reminded me that resilience should never be mistaken for the absence of need.
For many children and families, the summer holidays are a time to rest, recharge and enjoy a break from the routines of school and daily life. But, for young carers, the summer can bring a very different reality.
Young carers are often described as resilient – and many are. But their resilience should never be mistaken for the absence of need, nor should it become an expectation that children and young people simply carry more than they should. Behind every young carer is a story that is rarely simple – often one carried out quietly and without recognition, whilst trying to navigate education, friendships, and the everyday challenges of growing up. Many young carers do so without ever thinking of themselves as carers at all. This is why the summer holiday period matters.
For some young people, school represents more than education. It provides routine, structure, trusted relationships and, for many young carers, an important sense of respite.
When that structure pauses, the pressures they carry can become significantly harder to manage. The impact of caring responsibilities can extend far beyond childhood. Young carers are significantly more likely to experience poorer mental health, lower educational attainment, and reduced access to future employment opportunities than many of their peers.
As I reflected in last month’s blog on young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), the roots of future disadvantage often begin much earlier than we realise.
No single organisation can address these challenges alone. Supporting young carers and their families requires collaboration between communities, partners, funders and services working towards a shared goal: ensuring every child and young person has the opportunity to thrive – this is why prevention matters.
Too often, support arrives only once needs have escalated into crisis. Yet repeatedly we see the value of early intervention. Stable, trusted support helps reduce pressure before young carers and their families reach breaking point – this is not a challenge any one organisation can solve alone.
Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, increasing demand and growing complexity of need continue to place pressure on families, communities, and services alike. In this environment, stable community services matter more than ever. The Young Carers Festival is a powerful example of what can be achieved when that shared commitment is put into action.
Click here to access a short Young Carers Festival Insights summary, which shares some of the experiences, reflections, and impact from this year’s event. More importantly, it highlights why continued investment in young carers and the services that support them remains so important.
I want to thank everyone who helps make this possible. Our staff, volunteers, partners, supporters, and funders commitment helps ensure children, young people and families can access the support, stability, and opportunities they need, not only to navigate today’s challenges, but to build brighter futures.
Together, we can continue creating opportunities that help every child and young person realise their potential.
