Fun, food, friends, facepainting, footy and more – Young Carers SA is celebrating this year’s Young Carers Week (October 6-12) with a jam-packed calendar of FREE activities.

Young Carers Week, created to raise awareness and support for South Australia’s young carers, is proudly delivered by Young Carers SA – South Australia’s only organisation dedicated solely to supporting young carers.

While the established National Carers Week falls one week later, Young Carers SA has recognised the incredible responsibility shown and contribution made by young carers and last year introduced a celebratory week specifically for South Australia’s 30,000 young carers.

“Young Carers Week is one of the ways we can ensure young carers are seen, heard and supported on their caregiving journey,” says Young Carers SA General Manager Brigid Koenig.

“Young carers are incredibly self-less, courageous and committed and our weeklong celebration recognises those invaluable traits. Through our events, we’re providing young carers with respite from their significant caregiving responsibilities and an opportunity to do something free and fun for themselves.”

Brigid says Young Carers SA is also thrilled to host its first-ever ticketed, corporate event at Adelaide Oval as part of the celebrations.

“Our luncheon will bring together the state’s business community, alongside advocates and community partners, to establish new allies and create opportunities to work together to better support young carers,” she said.

Young Carers SA’s full line-up of Young Carers Week events includes:

  • Ultimate AFL Max Camp (Tuesday 7 October) – for young carers aged 11 to 14, this overnight camp at AFL Max includes hours of fun with rock climbing, trampolines, inflatables, interactive game screens and Footy Zone, before settling in for a movie night on the huge arena screen. Dinner and breakfast are included. Supported by RAA.
     
  • Channel 7 Studio Tour (Wednesday 8 October) – ever wondered what it’s like to work in TV? Go behind the scenes at Channel 7 and try stepping into the spotlight by having a go at reading the news in front of a green screen, just like a real TV presenter! Transport and lunch provided.
     
  • Young Carers Day Out (Thursday 9 October) – get ready for an unforgettable day all about fun, connection and recognition. Held at the iconic Adelaide Oval and fully catered, it includes inflatables, live entertainment, facepainting, oval tours, air hockey, basketball, charm bracelet making and mural painting, music, photobooths and more. Supported by Carer and Community SA and Carers SA.
     
  • Young Carer’s Voices & Hearts Luncheon (Thursday 9 October) – business leaders, advocates and community partners are invited to come together to celebrate the resilience of young carers, explore new pathways to strengthen their wellbeing and reaffirm a shared commitment to ensuring their stores are seen, heard and supported. Held in the Ian McLachlan Room at Adelaide Oval. Tickets just $125 per person.
     
  • Parliament Tour (Friday 10 October) – young carers aged 9 to 16 can get an inside look at where our laws are made with a one-hour tour of South Australia’s Parliament, before enjoying an afternoon tea in the beautiful grounds on North Terrace.

Visit www.youngcarerssa.com.au/groups-events to find out more or purchase tickets to the luncheon.

South Australia is home to approximately 30,000 young carers, or 7 percent of the youth population. Young carer refers to 5 to 25-year-olds who take on a significant caregiving role for a family member who has a chronic illness, suffers with substance misuse, has a disability, mental health concern, or is ageing.

Young Carers SA is a dedicated program of Carer and Community SA (CCSA), a trusted South Australian not-for-profit that has supported carers and the wider community for more than 33 years. Together, CCSA and Young Carers SA are committed to delivering innovative, impactful services – grounded in experience, driven by youth voice.

For more information about young carers, Young Carers SA, or Young Carers Week, call (08) 8433 9555 or email programs@carersupport.org.au.