Hosted by YMCA Fairthorne Group and The Children's Society, the festival gives young carers aged 11 to 17 a rare opportunity to take a break from their caring responsibilities, meet other young people who understand their experiences and simply enjoy being children.
Over the course of the weekend, our young carers threw themselves into a wide range of activities, including skateboarding, water sports, dance workshops, inflatable obstacle challenges, live performances and a spectacular fireworks display.
Thanks to the generous support of Sue Osborne and her Women’s Institute committee, we were able to take twice as many young carers to this year's festival as we did in 2024. The trip was also made possible through the support of Mimi Phung, Philanthropy Manager at The Mercers' Company, whose help with our funding application was invaluable.
"I loved exploring activities that I have never participated before with my friends and overall meeting new people in a supportive environment."
One of our young carers who took part in the festival
Our group was supported throughout the weekend by our dedicated volunteers and sessional workers Jason, Chrissy, Aamir and Bertram, whose calm approach and encouragement helped ensure every young person felt included and able to make the most of the experience.
We would also like to thank Edward Thomas & Son's Coach Company for stepping in at short notice to provide transport for our return journey after another booking was unexpectedly cancelled.
Most importantly, we are incredibly proud of the 20 young carers who attended. Throughout the weekend they showed kindness, resilience and support for one another, representing Kingston Carers Network with great maturity while embracing every opportunity the festival had to offer.
"I made loads of friends and have a fantastic time. It is fun because they don’t judge for who you are."
One of our young carers who took part in the festival
We would like to thank The Children's Society and YMCA Fairthorne Group for organising another outstanding Young Carers Festival, and the more than 250 volunteers who gave their time to prepare meals, run activities and support young carers throughout the weekend. Their dedication helped create a welcoming and unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Find out more about the Young Carers Festival, and their plans for an even bigger 2027.