Hansard

I am pleased to speak in this debate on young carers action day 2025, and I congratulate Paul O’Kane on securing it.

The reason why I want to speak in this debate is that, on Tuesday, I received an email from a young adult carer development worker at Falkirk and Clackmannanshire carers centre. The centre sent through a letter from young adult carers in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire to make sure that we, as MSPs, raise the point of the action day in relation to “geezabreak” and that we address the need for universities, colleges and employers to provide better support in education and work for young carers. Those points have been raised throughout the debate by Martin Whitfield, Jeremy Balfour and other members.

Young adult carers’ caring responsibilities mean that they do not always have time to see their friends, enjoy hobbies or focus on education or work. Their minds are usually elsewhere—on their families and on the people they care for—because that is what they feel is important and they want to make sure that they provide the best possible care to the people they love so much.

However, because young carers are thinking about the people they care for, it can be hard for them to take a break or a moment to enjoy whatever it is that they want to do. It is important that we raise these issues in the chamber today to ensure that their voices are heard and that the Parliament and the Scottish Government continue to improve the lives of young carers right across Scotland.

Paul O’Kane raised an important point about the need for accurate data so that we have know the number of young carers. I hope that the minister will address that point in her summing-up speech.

Many members reflected on their attendance at the young carers festival, which I visited back in 2023. It was a fantastic day. I remember the photo booth, the inflatable bouncy castles—I was really disappointed that I did not get a shot on them—the activities, the sports and the hair and make-up. The queue for the hair and make-up went on for miles, but I can understand why that was so popular, particularly among the young girls and women who were there.

When we sat down to speak to the young carers, they rightly challenged us on what more we, as parliamentarians, could be doing to improve their lives. They then told me that they were off to a disco, which shows how good those festivals are. However, it also stresses the importance of the theme of young carers action day, which is “geezabreak”, because that was an occasion when young carers were able to enjoy a break, which is so important.

I reiterate how MSPs can show their support, particularly this week, given that young carers action day was yesterday. We can share information and content on social media using the hashtags #youngcarersactionday, #ycad2025 and #geezabreak.

As Martin Whitfield highlighted, we can sign up to the young carers covenant, which is a commitment to support outcomes that will improve the lives of young adult carers.

We can also speak to our councillor colleagues and ask them to lodge motions to make sure that our councils are going as far as they can to ensure that our young carers are supported across all our local authority areas.

I wish all our young carers in the gallery a very happy and successful young carers action day. I reiterate the words of Karen Adam: we appreciate you more than you will ever know.