Scottish young carers

In April 2023, 72 Scottish young carers from eight different young carer organisations came to Outward Bound to attend a 5-day course at The Trust’s Loch Eil centre

These organisations seek to ensure that carers are recognised, valued, receive the information, and support they need to allow them to care with confidence and in good health, and are empowered to have a life of their own outside caring. The purpose of this trip was for the young people to have fun, build relationships with other young carers and their key workers, increase their confidence, and experience a well-deserved break from their home lives.

A young carer or young adult carer can have a range of responsibilities ranging from domestic and nursing-type duties to child care and emotional support. Caring for a relative has a significant impact on the general health, mental health and wellbeing of an individual and in turn can impact on the individual’s education, employment, participation in leisure activities, social life and general life prospects.

Upon arrival at the centre, the young carers and their accompanying key workers were split into teams and allocated their own Outward Bound instructor. They began their course with a jog & dip and as their course progressed, they faced a variety of different activities including scrambling, gorge walking, canoeing, rowing and rock climbing.

"Overcoming challenges on the course will help me deal with struggles at home."

Claire, 10 Helensburgh Young Carers

The accompanying key workers shared how they hope the course will impact the young people in the short and longer term. The course provided the young people with a chance to take a break, have fun and try new things in a safe, supportive environment.

Sharing experiences with others who are in a similar position to themselves and being supported to overcome challenges, their key workers hope they leave the course with an increased sense of belonging, a heightened awareness of their own capabilities and increased confidence, together with a motivation and willingness to take on other opportunities in the future.

"The course has contributed to the young people’s lives back at home because they have had an essential break. They now have the confidence to say yes to more and try new things."

Sarah Parker, Young Persons Practitioner, Action for Children