UCA helps young carers express their creative potential

Young carers, aged 5-17, provide support to family members who are ill or disabled. Caring pressures can mean they fall behind in life. Extra opportunities like these allow these young people time to be themselves, as well as develop skills and friendships.

Michelle Harper, Young Carers Team Manager at Action for Carers said: “We are delighted to have worked with the University of the Creative Arts on such a beneficial project. Our young carers have loved the experiences and learned a huge amount, encouraging some to set their sights on arts careers. The sessions have also taken the young people away from the challenges of their daily lives, allowing them a chance to do something amazing, just for them.”

In November, participants worked with UCA Creative Workshop Tutor and textile artist Sarah McAllister to create their own repeat pattern gift wrap inspired by furoshiki, a traditional Japanese cloth used for gift wrapping, carrying items, and decoration.

In December, two groups of young carers participated in pop-up Christmas card workshops led by UCA Creative Workshop Tutor and illustrator Tabitha Turner.

These festive workshops conclude a year of activities, with approximately 120 young carers enjoying 13 different workshops, which included two 4-week art and design projects in June and July, a street art workshop, and a special effects (SFX) makeup workshop at Halloween.

And looking ahead to 2026, the year kicks off with 4-week masterclasses in animation and textiles in January and February.

For more information about the work Action for Carers does, please visit their website.

If you would like to know more about the work UCA are doing with Action for Carers, please get in touch with us by emailing outreach@uca.ac.uk.