Slow Down – A Young Carers Project

a colourful collage with hand painted shapes and two photographs. One photo shows two peoples feet, the other shows a window.

4 February 2026

Do you ever feel like the world around you is moving too fast?

With the constant access to media, pressures from school, social and home life, young people face overwhelming expectations every day.
>Young carers face the same pressures as any other young person, but with the added responsibility of caring for a family member who is unable to care for themselves. These responsibilities often take precedent over school and socialising, leading to isolation and a feeling of being left behind.

If anyone deserves a chance to slow down, it’s our young carers.

Creativity as respite

Working with local artist Karen Dews, young carers at YMCA Brunel Group were invited to slow down and consider their surroundings, especially when it comes to the images we choose to take. Having our phones constantly nearby, snapping photos has never been easier.

Participants explored the local area and considered the photos they chose to take, creating space for reflection and creative consideration of their surroundings.

“The project provided the young carers with the valuable opportunity to capture snapshots of their ideas, voices and the different perspectives from young people across Mendip, celebrating their creativity and lived experiences.” – Chiara Docherty, Youth & Community Team Leader
When young people are given the tools and space to explore their creativity and try new things, incredible things can happen! Working together with Karen, participants explored various artistic mediums to bring the moments they captured to life. The collaborative zines that resulted speak for themselves.A huge thanks

This project was funded jointly by Youth With a Future (YWAF) and Friends of Somerset Young Carers. We are so grateful to the support received from both organisations, alongside the work of Karen Dews to make this happen.

The project was a big hit with the young carers, who grew in confidence as it progressed and enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate and demonstrate their creativity.