Carers Trust and British Youth Music Theatre

Carers Trust and British Youth Music Theatre give young carers “life-changing” opportunity.

A partnership between Carers Trust and British Youth Music Theatre has seen a group of young carers take to the stage.

British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) kindly provided free spaces on their workshops and residential camps to the young people. The sessions began over the summer holidays, with theatre professionals helping participants develop their acting, singing, movement, writing and musical skills.

This gave the young carers a chance to develop their interest in the performing arts and make new friends. It also provided a much-needed break from their everyday duties of caring for loved ones.

One young carer called the experience “life-changing”, while another said: “I loved, loved, loved my stay at BYMT. I have made life-long friends who share my passion for drama. I really liked staying away from home for a week too, it made the whole experience feel like a holiday.”

Another participant’s mum said: “The week before my daughter was in hospital and feeling sad and prayed for a miracle, then one phone call changed it all. She had won a week away in London at a famous drama school where Ed Sheeran went! We never could have afforded this experience without funding so I am eternally grateful for making my daughter’s dreams come true.”

Recent research by Carers Trust and Action for Children shows 82% of young carers feel lonely during the summer holidays because of their caring role and more than a quarter don’t feel like they can take a break during that period. That’s why the sessions offered by BYMT have been so valuable to the carers who took part.

Emily Gray, Chief Executive & Creative Director of British Youth Music Theatre, said: “As an arts charity working with and for young people it’s so important for us to reach out to young people from all different areas of life and ensure that those less able to access creative opportunities get involved. It was wonderful to see how the young carers we worked with this summer developed their confidence and skills over the course and showed such creative potential. We hope to continue this significant partnership with Carers Trust into the future.”

Vicky Morgan, Carers Trust’s Head of Young Carers and Young Adult Carers, said: “At Carers Trust, we’re delighted British Youth Music Theatre has provided these opportunities for young carers. It’s a brilliant way for them to get respite from their responsibilities at home, unleash their creativity and acquire fresh skills from seasoned theatrical professionals. It will be a springboard for many talented young carers who dream of a life on the stage and we’re excited to see where it takes them in the future.”