Young Carers Bring It On

Bring it! Young Carers Forum 2008

Bring it will be held over two days at Parliament House in Canberra this November. As well as being an opportunity to look at the latest research, the Forum will feature workshops involving service providers, policy makers and young carers.

The selected group of young carers who attend Bring it will also take part in a leadership program to help them become mentors for other young carers and to represent young carers in public.

Event organiser, Pete Smith from Carers Australia says Bring it promises to be the most significant event ever for young carers across Australia.

“This event builds on the work that was done at the Young Carer Summit in 2006” Mr Smith said. “From state, territories and federal governments, through to schools, through to various support agencies, and of course the young carers themselves, everyone will be represented.”

The theme Bring it was chosen to reflect the youth focused energetic nature of the 2008 Forum.

According to Mr Smith, it is also about recognising and accepting the challenges faced by young carers and the people who work with them. The Forum will look at policies and programs that are currently in place or which need to be developed to support young carers.

“Bring your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your experience. Let’s empower our young carers through the leadership program to present their own stories directly to the people who can actually effect change” Mr Smith said. “Let’s take this opportunity to have leading academics in the field of Young Carer Research work with us to develop new policy. This is our challenge—now Bring it!”

Expressions of interest to attend this event should be directed to Carers Australia via email at caa@carersaustralia.com.au. Get in fast, places are limited!

For more information, go to www.bringit2008.com.au