On 20th April 2023, the Young Carers Development Trust (YCDT) was invited to bring twenty eight of its young carers to a fabulous afternoon tea followed by the opportunity to meet with Mrs Murty, businesswoman and wife to the Prime Minister.

These exceptional young people spent an hour talking with Mrs Murty, as she listened to their unique experiences in supporting and caring for their loved ones. Mrs Murty asked insightful questions and thanked the young carers for their extraordinary contributions to their families and their local communities.

YCDT sent a thank you to Mrs Murty. Matilda, a young carer from Midsomer Norton said, “Thank you for letting us into your home and taking an interest into what we do as young carers. I am very happy that there are other people that understand that being a young carer is not easy and we are appreciated. It was a great experience to meet Mrs Murty and to experience the inside of Number 10. Downing Street. It was so nice to feel heard.”

Safi, from Paulton, said, ‘Thank you for giving us all the opportunity to talk to you and tell you what we do. It is such a big opportunity for us and is appreciated greatly.”

Karina Eccles, YCDT Charity Manager, said, “This visit was an incredible experience for our young carers, enabling them to feel valued and heard, they will always treasure and remember it. Mrs Murty listened to everything our young carers had to say and engaged with them so beautifully. We were made so welcome by everyone we met at Downing Street. I am so proud of our amazing and talented young carers for sharing their lives, where they find themselves in difficult situations with the roles are reversed.”

According to The Children’s Society 800,000 young people, aged 5-17, currently care for an adult or family member in England. On average young carers miss forty eight school days (ten weeks) a year because of their caring responsibilities.

Now in its 10th year, YCDT’s mission is to improve the life opportunities of young carers across Bath & North-East Somerset, Bristol & South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, North Somerset and the wider South-West region.