We were very happy to be back face to face for our annual careers and education event YAC Futures in 2022.  

Young Adult Carers face additional challenges around the transition to college, university and work as they have to manage the constraints of their caring role as they plan for their futures.  YAC FUTURES is designed especially to give them the time, space, knowledge and confidence to think through their plans and ambitions for the next stage in their life and get inspired by others. 

21 young adult carers aged 16-24 attended this event held at the fantastic Skillzone in Gloucester and kindly sponsored by Midcounties Coop, Alexander Burn Funeral Directors and Gloucester Rotary. 

After refreshments and an ice breaker there was a choice of workshops in the morning which set up the day well – YACS were informed about life at University/Further Education, how Apprenticeships work and a session on CV Writing and Interview tips. 

The speed networking is the most exciting part of the day - this is where YAC's get a unique opportunity to meet 10 local businesses and professionals face to face and ask them questions about their jobs and own career paths. There was a wide range of opportunities to discuss including fire service, police, retail, engineering, and the creative industries. What made this part of the day more engaging was that YACs rotated around the Skillzone safety village for the networking meetings, for example meeting the representatives from the co-op in an actual model co-op!

The Feedback from the young adult carers was very positive.

‘Very insightful’

‘Overall - an amazing event – thank you!

‘The speed networking was awesome’.

‘I had so much fun it was amazing’

We are so grateful to our GYC volunteers and the following businesses for giving up their time and helping make this event such a great success - Hooray Recruitment Spirax Sarco University of Gloucestershire The Midcounties Co-operative Tayntons Solicitors 10 Yetis Digital GE Aviation NHS Gloucestershire CCG Gloucestershire Constabulary National Star Gloucestershire fire and rescue service and Alexander Burn Funeral Directors.   We could not run this event without the help of these supporters – who really get how it important to speak directly to young adult carers and for them to know that they can realise their ambitions.