Young Carers Jamboree

Young carers and their families from across Northern Ireland came together in Magherafelt on Sunday 26 September to celebrate the on-going ‘Building Bridges’ project which is being delivered in partnership with Barnardo’s NI.

‘Building Bridges’, running over the past three years, uses dance and film for young carers to creatively tell their own stories.  Five short, arts-based films featuring young carers were screened at the Jamboree for all to enjoy whilst the sixth film, made in August, premiered with a live performance from local rapper Jay Sutton. Jay had collaborated with the this group of young carers to devise a powerful and catchy soundtrack to their film.

At the fun-filled Jamboree young people and their families enjoyed arts and crafts, old time games, bouncy castles, graffiti wall and a surprise visit from an ice cream van.

Speaking of the Young Carers’ Jamboree, Fionnuala Walsh, National Head Northern Ireland at BBC Children in Need said: “After a period of immense challenge and uncertainty for young people, we’re very proud to support partnership projects like Building Bridges, which provide a lifeline and also help participants navigate through the current impact of the pandemic”.

The 6th film, with our partners Barnardo’s Young Carers, began with a meeting on the 9th June. A group of nine young carers and six leaders met in Magherafelt to plan the direction of the programme which will be a catalyst for the re-emergence of Barnardo’s Young Carers Council. Workshops will take place in July and August and a celebratory Jamboree is planned for September to bring all groups together.