Young Carer Advocacy Project
The Young Carer Advocacy Project (YCAP)
AGES 12 - 25
The Young Carer Advocacy Project is an Australia-wide initiative designed to give Young Carers a platform to influence their community and create policy change across Australia.
We’ve conducted focus groups right across the country with over 300 Young Carers aged 15 to 24, giving them the opportunity to voice their thoughts, feelings and recommendations around the current support accessible to Young Carers in Australia.
From there, we worked with a smaller group of 16 Young Carer Ambassadors to develop a policy report, which will guide the Australian Government on how to better recognise and support young Australians with caring roles.
Summary report Full report
Meet our Ambassadors!
"I am a passionate advocate for Young Carers, to bring awareness to not only adults but kids as well to know how challenging it is to be a carer."
"I love inspiring and helping others and will bring a passionate and robust youth voice to raise awareness and advocate for Young Carers in similar shoes. "
"Being a Young Carer, I know of the troubles and difficulties many young people face and I wish to make a change within the community. "
"I am passionate about being a Young Carer Ambassador as it corresponds with my views - I enjoy helping others and my community, I find serotonin in it!"
"I'm lucky to have been provided support to ensure I completed my schooling and I want to ensure other Young Carers are afforded the same opportunities. "
"I am passionate about the Young Carer Advocacy Program as I feel together we can have an impact and change the way Young Carers are viewed by the community and policy makers. "
"I am passionate for Young Carers' voices and experiences to be legitimised and heard. I believe through the Young Carer Advocacy Project this can be achieved."
"I am interested in sharing and understanding Young Carers from diverse backgrounds - specifically, how the intersection of identities and experiences shape a person."
"I am passionate about advocating for Young Carers, because I feel like there is so much that I could learn from the experience, and there is so much that people don't know about what it is like to be a Young Carer."
"Living in rural New South Wales has meant that I have grown accustom to the inequality and struggles people face daily, and this has fuelled my passion for change and equality for Young Carers."
"My life-long role as a carer for my brothers, who both have Autism and a range of mental and physical health conditions, has motivated me to strive for better support for other Young Carers. "
"I am extremely passionate about this role because I would like to share my story of being a Young Carer and how it has affected me as an individual, as well as create awareness for the support programs that exist."
"As a Young Carer Ambassador, I believe that my worldly knowledge on advocacy will enable me to assist future Young Carers right around Australia."
"I am a carer for my dad, who had a major heart attack and brain injury in early 2018. I do not let caring for him get in the way of living life and I want to advocate for Young Carers to feel the same."
"Having taken on a variety of caring roles within my family, I am eager to advocate for Young Carers in similar situations. I am passionate about contributing to a future where no one is left behind."
