On Tuesday 1st October 2024, the Mosquito Mission visited The University of Gloucestershire to deliver two sessions to Primary ECT students, informing them about young carers, their experiences in school, and how they as new professionals can help identify and support young carers in their schools.

The Mosquito Mission is a group of young carers who deliver training and presentations to professionals, using their lived experience to inform organisations that work with young people how to best identify and support young carers effectively in their role.

The group delivered to over 40 young professionals, sharing their lived experiences in school as they have progressed from primary to secondary education. The young carers created and delivered an in-depth question and answer session, featuring questions created by the young carers, designed to make the students think deeper about their current practice.

Evie, member of the mosquito mission said: “This is one of the most talkative groups we’ve presented to. They’re asking loads of questions and seem to really want to make a difference.”

In addition to sessions with young carers, the students had a presentation delivered by our education officer, Clover, giving the students more information on the services we provide and developing their skills to identify a young carer in their setting.

One student said: “This has been really eye opening and made me think a lot more about young people and what they may be experiencing at home.”

Helen Williams, Lecturer in Primary Education said: “The mosquito Mission group were highly effective and impressive, and it was joy having them to visit and speak and educate our students and ourselves. The students have been speaking so highly about them since Tuesday and about the work they did with you and Clover.”