Young Carers - A Life in Focus

The Royal Photographic Society and Action for Children have enourced young carers across the UK to take part in a project that enabled them to learn new things and show us what’s important to them.  

If a person is a young carer, they probably look after one of their parents, or perhaps care for someone else in their family. It can be a big responsibility at a young age that comes with a great sense of pride and admiration – however it may sometimes come with feelings of loneliness, and stress. That’s why it’s important that they take time out for themselves to do something they enjoy for their own mental health and wellbeing.

Photography can be a great way of sharing thoughts and emotions, capturing snapshots of interests and experiences, and showing the things that make everyone unique. Through a series of exciting, playful workshops with professional photographer Jo Bradford and a series of video interviews with renowned photographic artists, young carers learned tips and tricks to produce their own amazing images using anything from mobile phones to the camera on a laptop.

some learned a whole new skill and some improved on their knowledge of the basics, the work procuded showcases something from all skill levels. they didnt have to be a photographer, didnt have to come in with ideas ready to go, this was a chance to learn something new and have some fun along the way. 

We asked the Young Carers across the UK to take photographs of what’s important to them in their everyday life. Selected entries will be part of the exhibition Young Carers: A Life in Focus which will take place at the RPS, Bristol and online at the end of the year. 

Young Carers: A Life in Focus will be exhibited at the Royal Photographic Society from the 21st of December 2022 to the 21st of January 2023.

Participating images will also be available to view as an online exhibiton launching in late november. 

Action for Children work with young carers across the UK. They help them balance their caring responsibilities with being a child.

There are lots of resources on their website where you can get advice and support as a young carer. Follow the links below to see the support that they offer: 

• Support for young carers 
• Find young carer services near you 
• Young carers: Who are they and why do they need support? 
• “In the morning I help mum get out of bed”: Supporting a young carer family in Cornwall