Young Carers Action Day takes place on Wednesday 11 March 2026. The annual event encourages as many organisations, communities and individuals as possible to take part in the day by taking action, supporting and raising awareness of young carers.

This year's theme is Fair Futures for Young Carers. The campaign focuses on ensuring that young people with caring responsibilities have the same opportunities as their peers to learn, grow, and achieve their ambitions.

Challenges Faced

Young carers face a huge array of challenges as a result of their caring role. Surveys conducted by the Carers Trust repeatedly show many young carers are disadvantaged across multiple aspects of their lives, including mental and physical health, finances, education and employment.

The Ealing and Hounslow Young Carers Project, delivered by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, offers support and advice to young carers aged between 8 and 18, who live in the London Boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow. Our programme provides information and advice, skills development, support and the opportunity for young carers to take a break from their role and meet carers who are in a similar situation.

Bella's Story

Like many other teenagers, 14-year-old Bella’s interests include music and performing arts. However, unlike many peers her age, Bella cares for her mum and grandparents, with all four of them living together.

Bella’s grandparents both have terminal cancer, and her mum has pancreatic cancer, mobility issues, bipolar and borderline personality disorder. Bella provides 24/7 physical support for her mum, including shopping, cooking daily meals and cleaning, whilst also providing emotional support in the home.

Bella says, “I first found out I was a young carer when I was around 8 or 9. I had always been looking after my mum and, more recently, my grandparents. I found out I was a young carer when cinema staff mentioned a carer ticket. It was the first time I had heard of the term.

“Being a young carer has affected my education. My attendance is very low. I get really tired when helping my mum. I also sometimes have to miss school because I’m attending appointments with my mum. I often struggle to complete homework and am worried about going to school in case of mum falling.

“It can be hard being a young carer sometimes, as I often miss out on going out with my friends on weekends, as I need to be at home. It can also affect me emotionally; I can get really sad or stressed, especially when mum falls. It can sometimes be overwhelming as I may have to do lots of things at once.”

Help And Support

Since attending the Young Cares Project at the Trust, Bella has been able to maintain a positive outlook on life whilst continuing to hold family life together at home.

“Being a young carer has taught me that in any situation, I can be quite funny. I can find the joy even in the low moments. I’m proud of what I do for my family.

“I like being recognised as a young carer because it can show other young carers that there is help out there. There is always someone to speak to you. The Young Carers Project means I get to have fun and meet other young people who are in similar situations to me. My favourite trip was when we went to Thorpe Park.

“One thing I would say to other young carers is there’s always going to be people in the same situation as you, there will always be help, and it won’t be the end of the world.”

Find Out More

For more information about the Young Carers Project at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, click here.