Help Make the Young Carers Festival Possible
powered by people like you.
Give Young Carers
the chance
to be just kids.
There are more than 800,000 young people with caring responsibilities in the UK.
Every year YMCA Fairthorne Group & The Children’s Society create a life changing weekend where young carers can…
- Take on outdoor adventure like climbing, zip wires and crate stacking.
- Get on the water with kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Go full festival mode with fairground rides, inflatables and giant swings.
- Switch off and breathe in open fields, craft zones, chill out areas and pamper spaces.
- Dance, sing and stay up late with live music, DJs, outdoor movies, fireworks and entertainment.
- Be heard in Voice Zone and help shape national policy.
- Some young carers try everything. Some simply sit under a tree with a new friend and feel understood.
Every experience matters.
Why your Support matters.
“Yep. We’ve got you.”
The festival only happens because generous people, businesses, and community partners step in and make it possible. Your support helps us provide:
- Accessible travel for groups across the UK
- Healthy meals and essential facilities
- Trained welfare, safety and activity teams
- Equipment, tents, marquees and entertainment
- A safe community where young carers can simply be themselves
Your contribution directly affects what we can offer and how many young carers we can welcome.
Real Stories.
Real Young Carer Experiences.
Behind every donation is a young carer whose weekend was changed because someone stepped in. Read case studies from individual Young Carers, Young Carer Groups, and Leaders. Their stories are real, and the reality for young people across the UK.
2026 In their
own words
Dream Arts Story
More Funding, More Joy: What Sponsorship Means for Young Carers
Duncan leads the Young Carers programme at Dream Arts, Westminster. He tells us what one weekend of joy does for the young people he brings.
More stories coming soon
We're gathering more voices from this year's festival.
“The most important thing for Young Carers is an opportunity to be kids for a weekend.”
— Duncan, Young Carers Programme Manager, Dream ArtsWays you can help.
Not every business can donate cash. But many can donate what they already do best — food, transport, equipment, entertainment, skills, or services. If you can provide any of the options below, you can make a real, practical difference for young carers.
Coach travel
Bring groups safely to and from Fairthorne.
I can help
Food and refreshments
Catering, supplies, snacks, drinks or vouchers.
I can help
Marquees and rides
Tents, inflatables, fairground rides and logistics.
I can help
Stage and AV
Lighting, sound, staging, screens or crew support.
I can help
Entertainment
Musicians, performers, DJs, face painters, workshops.
I can help
Professional services
First aid, electricians, security, welfare or staffing.
I can help
Evening experiences
Fireworks, shows, lighting effects or safe night activities.
I can help
Equipment and supplies
Tools, materials, printing, signage, radios, kit or hire.
I can help
What Your Donation
Can Achieve.
Your gift, small or large, makes a real difference.
Choose a level, or just give what feels right.
- £3 provides a festival T-shirt for a young carer
- £20 provides food to a young carer for the weekend
- £110 funds one young carer for a day
- £300 provides coach travel to and from YCF for a care group
- £1,000 helps support 100 young carers through essential festival costs
Whatever you give, you’re helping create joy, confidence, connection and memories that last long after the weekend ends.
“It's allowed me to make a lot more friends.”
Proudly Supported by Businesses Across
Hampshire & the UK.
For over 25 years, incredible organisations have helped make the Young Carers Festival possible, donating money, time, equipment, food, transport, entertainment and professional expertise.
Join the organisations making this life-changing weekend happen, get involved this year.
When you support YCF, you support young carers.
YCF gives young carers something rare: a proper break, a place they feel understood, and a weekend of joy and confidence they carry into the year ahead.
