YOUNG AND CAREFREE loves nothing more than trying to provide you with the break and rest you need and we’ve found the perfect thing for you, happening this June.
The Young Carers Festival (YCF), which has been running since 2000, gives all young carers the opportunity to have fun away from home, while meeting others in similar situations, providing an invaluable support group – and lots of new friends!
Organised by The Children’s Society’s Include programme and YMCA Fairthorne Manor in Southampton, the YCF last year was attended by over 1,500 young carers from across the UK and this year, they want even more of you to join in on the fun.
Fairthorne Manor is a young person’s paradise. The outdoor activity centre offers activities including kayaking, sailing, abseiling, archery and raft-building, all of which you can enjoy while at the YCF.
In addition to the activities available in the YMCA, the 2013 YCF, which will run from Friday 28 – Sunday 30 June, has selected an arts theme, which means however creative you are, there’s a chance to get messy and creative. YCF also loves live music and discos, as well as their Voice Zone and live radio stations.
Jenny Frank, the Young Carers Programme manager had said: “The Young Carers Festival has successfully brought together over 14,000 young carers and is now the largest gathering of young carers in the world. The Festival provides young carers the chance to add their voice on issues that are important to them and their families and a weekend where they can enjoy time for themselves. Thanks to our partners YMCA Fairthorne Manor, we now have a relaxing weekend of fun and also the opportunity to play a bigger part in decisions affecting all young carers.”
Tickets to the YCF include food, entertainment and camping. Young Carers must come as part of a Young Carers Project. To find a Young Carers Project near you, send a quick email to youngcarers@carers.org and they’ll get back to you with your options. If you’re already part of one of these groups, get your project leader to email ycf@ymca-fg.org for an information pack and booking form.
Keep up to date with all the latest festival news by logging onto http://www.makewav.es/youngcarersfestival.
by Thea Babington-Stitt
young and carefree 