Hard-hitting young carers film premieres at York conference (From York Press)

Hard-hitting young carers film premieres at York conference

7:51am Monday 14th June 2010 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

A HARD-HITTING film highlighting the needs and experiences of young carers has been premiered at a conference in York.

Maggie Atkinson, the Children’s Commissioner for England, and Christine Davies, director of the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes, were among the audience at the event held at York St John University.

The film, which won a standing ovation, is part of a creative media campaign intended to raise awareness of young carers and help them get the support they need.

York film-maker Kevin Curran, who was involved in the York project, said: “The responsibility of the caring role can be overwhelming but these young people wanted to create a film that showed them as real people, just with difficult circumstances.

“It is not the stereotypical sob story they feel they are often associated with. They simply want to be better understood and for people to have a clearer understanding of what it means to be a young carer and the impact that it has on your life as you are growing up.”

He said the film involved Young Carers Revolution, a committed and proactive group of young carers aged 12 and over, and media company Inspired Youth, of which he is a director.

He said: “Designed and created by the Young Carers Revolution, the campaign aims to highlight the needs and experiences of young carers and to help ‘hidden young carers’ find the support they need.”

He said the film had premiered alongside a showcase of canvas art, photography and posters created by the Young Carers Revolution. The work was showcased to the No Wrong Doors conference to professionals who work with children and young people, and could now be rolled out nationally. For more information, visit youngcarersrevolution.blogspot.com