News

100 new young carers a year to be supported by YCDT!

YCDT is delighted to announce its new partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund. Thanks to the Lottery and its players, a grant of just over £180,000 over two years has been awarded to fully fund YCDT’s new mentoring programme.

The new Mentoring Project is intended to start in February 2024 and recruitment is already underway for mentors to deliver this exciting community-based programme. It will consist of a combination of group work and 1:1 mentoring support, with referrals being generated through existing partnerships with Young Carer services and new ones with schools and other educational establishments.

The programme is aimed at young carers in year 10 with the flexibility required to support those younger or older if suitable. The programme will be delivered in BANES, Wiltshire, N.Somerset, Bristol & S.Glos with an anticipated 4 cohorts per annum. Each cohort will comprise 4-8 young carers which means that on average, YCDT will be able to support a further 100 young carers a year through the project, which is in addition to its current 4-5 year mentoring programme.

For further information please contact the YCDT Service Manager Mel Rees either by email [email protected] or by phone 07368 610881.

Delighted to share YCDT’s hugely successful Gala Dinner held on  Thursday 21st September 2023 celebrating the Trust’s 10th Anniversary!

Thank you to all those who attended the event and everyone who made it possible. 

Big thank you to our tech sponsor BOM IT Solutions who sponsored the evenings welcome drinks.

The Elijah Jeffery Quintet treated us to an evening of Jazz while we enjoyed a delicious meal followed by an auction hosted by former YCDT young carer Marek and his business Magpie Auctions.

The Trust was established in 2012 by John Rogers, Victoria Clare and Tim Young. The aim was to improve the potential of young carers providing ‘a significant level of care’ for a disabled or seriously ill family member. The founding trustees decided their overall objective of improving the life chances of young carers will be achieved by establishing and continually developing a network of young carers, willing to become active and inspiring role models for others from backgrounds similar to theirs. YCDT took on its first young carer, Amy, 10 years ago in 2013.

We were thrilled to have YCDT’s first young carers Amy and Marek speak so beautifully about their experiences along with Matilda; who is currently going through the 4 year programme who spoke admirably about her current journey on her way to achieving her aspirations.

We have continued to build on what the founders started a decade ago and are so thankful for all those who have supported us over the past 10 years!

Read YCDT's Event Programme here!

YCDT's Young Carer Amy Riley Interview on BBC Radio Bristol!

Amy Riley was the first young carer YCDT supported and, now an adult and professional working for the NHS, supports YCDT as an Ambassador in many different ways. As part of Carers Week Amy was interviewed live on BBC Radio Bristol talking about her life as a young carer, and the impact YCDT had.

Amy was also part of the YCDT trip to meet Mrs Murty at 10 Downing Street! YCDT is very proud of Amy and all she has achieved, and so grateful for her continued support.

Listen Here

On 20th April 2023, the Young Carers Development Trust was invited to bring 28 of its young carers to a fabulous afternoon tea followed by the opportunity to meet with Mrs Murty. These exceptional young people spent an hour talking with Mrs Murty, as she listened to their unique experiences in supporting and caring for their loved ones. Mrs Murty asked insightful questions and thanked the young carers for their extraordinary contributions to their families and their local communities.

Thank you Mrs Murty, the experience I had at 10 Downing Street was above and beyond. Thank you for inviting us and learning more about our stories. - Young carer, Hannah

Once we arrived at Downing Street we had a lovely afternoon tea followed by an hour with Mrs Murty who listened to our young carers experiences, asked insightful questions and answered questions from our young carers. It was an amazing day and we are so proud of young carers for the questions they asked Mrs Murty and for being able to share their lives as young carers.

I entered the room with some understanding of their work but I left moved, inspired, humbled and grateful for what these young people do for their families but also for their communities – Mrs Murty