Carers Trust is a leading UK charity working to transform the lives of unpaid carers, partnering with a network of local carer organisations to deliver vital support, services and recognition for those who look after family members or friends. For many young carers, those responsibilities can make it harder to access the training and qualifications that open up work opportunities and further study. That is precisely the kind of barrier the City & Guilds Foundation aims to break down: our work is to support people who face disadvantage in accessing skills, education and employment, so that circumstances beyond their control don’t stand in the way of opportunity. And we’re delighted to announce that they have secured a £25,000 grant from us here at the City & Guilds Foundation to launch an Employability Bursary Fund supporting young adult carers aged 16–25 across England, Scotland and Wales.
The fund will provide flexible, personalised financial support to help young carers overcome practical barriers to accessing training, education and employment. Eligible costs include course fees, travel to interviews, specialist equipment, and additional care costs to enable attendance at classes or placements. At least eight young adult carers will benefit directly through grants distributed via Carers Trust’s national network of specialist local carers services.
The award builds on an existing partnership between the two organisations, which has already included an Insight Day attracting 35 carers and a carer completing an internship with City & Guilds.
Lauren Roberts, Advocacy Lead at the City & Guilds Foundation, said: “We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Carers Trust through this grant. Young adult carers demonstrate remarkable resilience and skill, and these bursaries will help ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of the opportunities they deserve. Supporting people facing disadvantage into meaningful employment is at the heart of what we do.”
Vicky Morgan, Head of Young and Young Adult Carers at Carers Trust, said the funding would help address a significant gap. Research from Carers Trust’s recent APPG Inquiry found that 75% of young carers say their caring role makes it difficult to take part in training or education, and 53% cite financial pressures as a barrier.
The project, which runs until March 2027, is part-funded by a grant from Swire Charitable Trust, bringing the total project value to £50,000.To find out more about Carers Trust click here.