Young Carers Festival 2009 - Happy 10th Birthday!
On the afternoon of the 26th July a familiar sight could be seen as hundreds of tents sprung up on the grounds of YMCA Fairthorne Manor, it was that time of year again - The Young Carers Festival 2009.
This year the excitement reached a new high as The Young Carers Festival celebrated its 10th Birthday - 10 years of fun, time out and Having a Say!!
On Friday evening everyone gathered at the campfire site to open the festival. Celebrity messages were played wishing everyone a happy 10th Young Carers Festival
Then to officially open the festival Gloucestershire Young Carers Project, who have attended for the past 10 years told 
everyone about the highlights and benefits YCF has had for them. Basingstoke Young Carers Project, who were attending for the first time, then talked about their expectations for the festival and what they were looking forward to.
To finish off the night some gathered on the front lawn to take part in the largest silent disco!! With headphones on you danced through the night to sounds that no-one else could hear!! For those that wanted a more relaxing evening Lisbee Stainton performed a live acoustic set at the coffee bar!
Saturday was packed full of activities to take part in including, Abseiling, Ariel Runway, Burma Bridge, Kayaking and Obstacle Course. There was also the opportunity to take part in some group activities with your project including the blink fold trail and low ropes. As well as all this a range of workshops were available including circus skills, dance, skate boarding, willow den building and Soccer Skills run by Manchester United coaches!
This year, to celebrate the tenth National Young Carers Festival the Voice Zone created a quiz going back over the last 10 years, with the opportunity to win an Ipod touch and a signed Wayne Rooney football Shirt - the winners were both from Sunderland Young Carers Project!!
There was also an opportunity to have a range of issues, Healthy Schools Network and the National Youth Agency also came along to hear what you had to say!!
Over Saturday lunch the Voice Zone was also the host of an important event, Question Time. This year the panel consisted of:
Tim Loughton MP, Shadow Minister for Children and Young People
John Coughlan, Director of Children’s Services, Hampshire
Jenny Frank Programme Manager The Children’s Society Include Project,
Peter Cooper, Children’s Work Director YMCA Fairthorne Group
Mike Tilbury, President of YMCA Fairthorne Group
Andy McGowan, volunteer and previous attendee of YCF,
And young carers, including some from Hartlepool, Basingstoke and Cheshire
For the second year running The Young Carers Festival hosted a Regatta – this year’s theme was a Hawaiian Beach Party. Young people took to the water in Hawaiian dress that had been created through out the day in the Art tent and Chill Out Zone.
On Saturday Evening everyone gathered on the front lawn to watch a short video ‘today at the festival’ and then the fireworks lit up the sky.
Sunday dawned to the finals of the Karaoke and 5-a-side football, then everyone got together to cut the YCF cake and receive their celebratory cup cakes. With one final rendition of Happy Birthday the festival draw to a close for another year.
You can also read our other messages of support and the top ten achievements of the Young Carers Festivals on The Children's Society's website.
What people said about the Festival:
“For ten years the festival has put back some of the rights of childhood that have been missing from these exceptional young lives. The right to play, socialise and have a say about their lives and those of their families are at the foundations of this unique festival. For one weekend each year childhood returns and with each passing year their rights are increasingly recognised.”
Peter Cooper Children’s Work Director at YMCA Fairthorne
“Thanks for a great festival. It was so good meet up with young carers and enjoy a break. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and we can get the chance to say what need as a family. It makes a real difference to have your voice heard. Thanks to everyone who made it possible for us.”
Gemma, 16, from Gloucestershire Young Carers
“My daughter Tori has just returned from the Young Carers Festival. Thank you so much, she has had a wonderful time – the weather was great and so were the events. This is her fifth time in taking part and she is so proud to be part of your 10th anniversary celebration."
Alison, a parent of a young carer
