26 Years of the Young Carers Festival
In 2026, we celebrate 26 years of the Young Carers Festival, the world’s largest residential festival created exclusively for young carers with caring responsibilities.
In Partnership
A weekend that gives young carers their childhood back
A proper break. Real laughs. No explaining. Just a weekend where you can breathe, be yourself, and have fun with people who get it.
“You really do have the time of your life here.”
The Young Carers Festival is a full weekend camping experience for young carers aged 11–17, packed with music, activities, fairground fun, and places to switch off when you need to.
Not having to explain themselves
Being around people who just get it
Staying up late laughing with friends
Trying things they never thought they could
Feeling normal for a weekend
Going home with stories instead of worries
What young carers tell us they love most
The best bits are not the big loud moments. It’s the feeling of finally being around people who understand.
A weekend in their shoes
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
A message from Joe Wicks
Joe is sending a special message to the young carers joining us for the weekend.
Joe Wicks, also known as The Body Coach, is a British fitness coach, television presenter, social media personality and author. His fitness method uses High Intensity Interval Training workouts. During the coronavirus lockdown he launched PE With Joe to help families stay active at home.
Joe also has personal experience of being a young carer to a parent, and he is an ambassador for Our Time.
▶ Watch the video message
VideoBooking + pricing
Choose your ticket type below. Prices are shown per person for each buying period.
| Buying period | Young Carer ticket cost |
Young Carer ticket cost plus tent |
Staff ticket cost |
Staff ticket cost plus tent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year Sale 12/01/26 – 15/02/26 | £110 | £120 | £55 | £65 |
| Early Bird 16/02/26 – 31/04/26 | £120 | £130 | £60 | £70 |
| Standard 01/05/26 – 31/05/26 | £130 | £140 | £97.50 | £107.50 |
Payment terms: a 30% deposit is required at the point of booking. The remaining balance will be invoiced 10 weeks before the festival, with 30 days to settle the invoice.
Tent hire is £10 per person
Group booking overview
Booking is designed for groups, so Young Carers can attend with the support of their service or organisation.
Groups book places and pay per person
YMCA provides food, accommodation (unless bring your own), and activities
Young Carers must attend as part of a group
Info needed at booking
Have your group name, lead contact details, numbers (Young Carers and staff), and any accommodation preference (YMCA or bring your own) ready.
Payment process
Ticket costs are per person and vary by buying period. Payment is split into a deposit and final balance (see payment terms below).
Payment terms
A 30% deposit is required at the point of booking. The remaining balance will be invoiced 10 weeks before the festival, with 30 days to settle the invoice.
Payment terms documentRefunds
Refunds are subject to the booking terms for the relevant dates– please refer to the Terms & Conditions for full details. If your plans change, contact the festival team as soon as possible.
What happens after booking
You’ll receive booking confirmation and next-step guidance. Closer to the festival, you’ll complete registration details for each attendee.
Registration timeframe
Registration closes May 31st.
Info for Young Carers
The Young Carers Festival is a full-weekend camping event at YMCA Fairthorne Manor for 11–17-year-old young carers, packed with music, outdoor activities, chill-out spaces and chances to meet others who understand your experiences.
I’m 18+ can I help?
VolunteerIf you’re 18 or over but would like to volunteer at the Young Carers Festival, volunteers are always welcome and play a vital role in making the weekend safe, fun and memorable for young carers.
Got ideas?
AnonymousTell us what you want more of at the festival. Music, activities, chill-out spaces, anything. If it would make the weekend better, we want to hear it.
Info for parents, carers & leaders
Parent overview
Updates“My Young Carer came home buzzing. They’d made friends, tried things they’d never normally do, and for the first time in ages it felt like they could just be a kid for the weekend.”
Get involved / mailing list
Want to be the first to hear the latest news about the festival, or get your Young Carer involved in shaping the programme? Sign up to our mailing list.
Please note contact details for the mailing list will be shared between the YMCA and our partner The Children’s Society.
My child’s service is bringing a group
Emergency contact
In addition, the festival has a Duty Manager on call at all times, who works closely with group leaders and festival staff to ensure any emergency is dealt with quickly and safely.
Payment terms
Payment terms document
Festival webinars
These short webinars are a chance to speak directly with the festival organisers. Ask questions, raise concerns, and understand more about how the Young Carers Festival works before booking.
Getting to the festival
Plan your route, check travel times, and see travel grant support if you need it.
Driving
Approx. travel times
Transport & address
Travel grants (CareTech Charitable Foundation funding)
Grants are available only if your service does not have other funding specifically for YCF travel. Grants are paid prior to the festival. Your service will need to complete a short feedback form and invoice The Children’s Society.
The Children’s Society has a limited amount of grants on offer. Completing an application does not guarantee funding, and they will be in touch to confirm the agreed amount.
Applying is simple: select “yes” when asked if you want to apply for a travel grant and complete the questions in the booking form.
Camping essentials
Bring your own tents for free, or hire YMCA tents for £10 per person Tent hire is added per person as part of your booking.
Tent sizes Placeholder: we’ll add final tent dimensions once confirmed.
No bedding is supplied Please bring sleeping bags, pillows, and anything else your group needs.
Pitch allocation rules Groups are allocated a pitch area. You cannot change pitch area once assigned.
Camping info
It’s a full weekend under canvas, with space to relax, reset, and have fun. Here’s what to know before you arrive.
Food info
We’re finalising catering arrangements for the festival.
This section will explain how food works across the weekend, including meal timings and key information for groups.
We’re used to catering for all dietary requirements and common allergies. Let us know what your group needs when you book.
More details coming soon.
Accessibility on site
We’ll share full accessibility details here once everything is confirmed. If you have a specific requirement, tell your group lead and they can raise it with the festival team.
Supervision + responsibilities
Staff ratio
Group responsibility
Risk assessment + out of bounds areas
During activities
Concerns about behaviour
Behaviour on site, rules, and curfew will be added here.
Resources
Download key documents for your group.
Festival rules
Site rules and expectations for young carers and staff.
Booking poster
A shareable poster with key booking information for 2026.
Terms and Conditions
Young Carers Festival 2026 Terms and Conditions.
Sample parent letter
A ready-to-use letter to send home to parents and carers.
Sample consent form
Media consent, tent details, and t-shirt size collection.
Registration form sample
A preview of what you’ll be asked to complete for final registration.
Risk assessment templates
Templates to help services plan and manage onsite risks.
Kit list
What to bring for the weekend (young people + staff).
Media consent form
Separate media consent form for photos and video.
Site map
A map of key zones, pitches, activity areas, and facilities.
Sample programme
A sample schedule to help groups plan ahead.
FAQs
Unfortunately all young people need to be attached to an organised group who will sort out their own bookings, logistics, paperwork and transport etc. As the host of the event YMCA Fairthorne Manor organise the activities, entertainment and food but are unable to take responsibility for individual young people. To find your local group please go to: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/young-carers/local-service-finder
There will be facilities for both Leaders and Young people to charge their phones over the weekend free of charge. Please ensure you bring cables with the phones to the charging points.