Young Carers Action Day 2025: What is it all about?

Today is Young Carers Action Day, a campaign organised by the charity Carers Trust to shine a light on the care work done by hundreds of thousands of children across the UK.

The charity celebrates the work of young carers every year on a date in mid-March.

This year's theme is 'Give Me a Break', which was chosen by young carers connected with the charity.

The Carers Trust say that, according to the most recent census data, at least 16,000 young carers in the UK are caring for 50 hours a week or more - some of whom are five years old.

To mark Young Carers Action Day 2025, a group of young carers are taking an open top bus to Westminster - where the government works - to call for more support.

What is a young carer and what do they do?

The Carers Trust say that young carers want to highlight how many children are struggling to find time for themselves when looking after a loved one

Young carers are children and young people who look after loved ones with an illness or disability.

They may take on adult responsibilities, for example they might need to help keep the house clean, or help family members with medication and appointments.

Young carers may also have to use a lot of their free time to help out at home.

The Carers Trust surveyed 423 young and adult carers, and found that almost three-quarters (72%) said they miss out on the holidays because they provide care.

Many also felt they weren't able to do a lot of the things most other children get to do, with nearly half saying they miss out on friendships and hobbies.

One young carer in the study said: "I feel bad for taking breaks and when I have time for myself I'm always thinking that I could be doing something else to help out."

What support is there for young carers?

Charities like the Carers Trust and The Children's Society provide support and help for young people who are carers.

Young carers in the UK also have a right to be given the information they need and have an assessment of their own needs.

This is called a young carer assessment, or a young carer statement in Scotland.

This can help decide what kind of help a young person and their family needs.

Local authorities - also known as councils - are responsible for young carer assessments in lots of cases. Local authorities they are in charge of lots of things in our local areas, including things like schools, traffic and bin collections.

But teachers can and schools can also provide support.