26 November 2020
Sound Creators is a targeted programme designed to address the specific needs of young female carers, led by UK Youth and delivered by six partner organisations across England. The programme supports young carers to take a break and engage in creative musical activity to support their wellbeing and as a powerful vehicle for meaningful connection with other young carers.
This Carers Rights Day we invited young carers from the programme to choose a song which helped them convey something of their experience. Here’s what they told us;
IT’S NOT LIVING (IF IT’S NOT WITH YOU) – THE 1975
“I think this relates to being a young carer because it shows strength with how you love your family. It shows that no matter what you love your family and we all lean on each other. In times of need, it makes me feel happier because it reminds me of being in the kitchen with my mum and my sister just dancing with them and not thinking of all the bad things.”
KEIRA, 16
OCEAN EYES – BILLIE EILISH
“The reason why I choose this song is because some of the lyrics can be relatable, for example;
‘I’ve never fallen from quite this high’; You may be stressed because the duties that you are doing are difficult.
‘Not fair’; You could feel that life is very hard and it’s not fair on you.
‘Burning cities’; The person you care for may have told you off or you are angry because you are really tired from helping a person all day.
‘I’ve been walking through a world gone blind’; You may feel left out because no one understands how hard being a young carer is.
AYESHA, 12
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE – BRUNO MARS
“The reason why I like this song is because it makes me happy as a person and also makes me feel comfortable as a female. This song puts me in a good mood as it is talking about each individual being beautiful the way there are, this song inspires me.
Whenever I feel upset or having a bad day I tend to listen to this song. The words ‘because you’re amazing’ makes me feel really happy about myself and who I am because it’s talking about no matter who you are you are perfect the way you are”
HANSAH, 18
LIVE FOREVER – OASIS
I picked this song because it puts me in a good mood and the lyrics are very uplifting.
HANNAH , 14
We would like to thank and celebrate these inspiring young carers for taking the time to articulate their experience so powerfully and for everything they do.
We would also like to thank our fantastic Delivery Partners continuing amazing and vital work at this time.
Sound Creators is part of the Carers’ Music Fund, which has been made possible by funding Spirit of 2012 has received from the Tampon Tax Fund, awarded through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Spirit of 2012 provided funding to cover the cost of alternative care and transport which are two key barriers for young carers.