Aiden Quinn has been involved with Gloucestershire YoungCarers as a young carer from the age of 12; he explained how, during his Dukeof Edinburgh programme, he was excited to work with the charity as they hadhelped him the most through his caring role.

He started volunteering for a respite group in Gloucester, giving up time for them every Monday, which made him realise how much he enjoyed helping people and the fact that he really wanted to give back to the Charity for supporting him.

Volunteering helped Aiden realise the routine that is usually required for paid jobs, and develop a good work ethic. Volunteering also helped Aiden, a care leaver, appreciate his passion for wanting to work with young people, which he has pursued by studying Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan University – a fact which is, in itself, phenomenal as only 12% of care leavers actually go to university.

Aiden has been awarded a Room2Reward break in a Jury’s Inn for his help towards Gloucestershire Young Carers. He encourages young people to try volunteering, as not only will it help begin a work ethic but it may also help find people their passion in life.

Here he talks about his experience of being a volunteer with Gloucestershire Young Carers:

https://youtu.be/tzTU5vmbRwY

Also presented for Room2Reward short breaks were long-time volunteers Paul Mapplebeck and Stephanie Molsen.