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Welcome to our December Newsletter!
It’s been an exciting and busy few weeks, and we’re proud to celebrate everything happening across the Young Carers Partnership. In this edition, meet Joanne Pilling from Co-op Academy, our Young Carer Champion of 2024, and find out how to nominate someone for 2025!
We’re also super excited to announce the winner of our young carers badge competition held earlier this year! With so many creative entries, the judges had a very tough job, but one design truly stood out. You can read all about the inspiration behind it, see the beautiful design and find out how to place your orders! The badge is aimed at young carers in Key Stage 3 and above, and we look forward to seeing the badges worn with pride!
This month, we’re also sharing some brilliant opportunities for Manchester’s young carers to get involved in activities across the city, (details below).
We hope you enjoy this edition! If you have any suggestions or good news stories to share, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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Araya is our new business and administration apprentice, and will be making contact with many of you over the coming months, Araya said....
Hi everyone! My name is Araya Worsley, and I work in the Young Carers team at Manchester City Council. My role focuses on supporting contact with schools, colleges and other provisions as part of my Business Support apprenticeship, helping to ensure that young carers have the best access to opportunities within the city. I’m passionate about making a positive difference and creating opportunities for children and families to thrive.
Outside of work, I’m always keen to learn new things and connect with others who share a commitment to supporting young people as a young person myself. I’m excited to be part of this newsletter and look forward to hearing your stories and experiences!
I look forward to working with you!
Araya
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Lots of you have been in touch to ask about the annual Young Carers Winter Wonderland at Heaton Park! We are sorry to say that due to the demands on our parks team (2025 has been a huge year for music events!) it will not take place this year.
We know this will be disappointing, and we truly appreciate your understanding. We do hope to be back for 2026, and I am sure you will join us in sharing a huge thank you to Heaton Park for all the amazing work they’ve done hosting us in the past.
Please keep updated with our newsletter for future events.
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 Young Carer Champion of the year 2024!
Congratulations to Joanne Pilling, of Co-op Academy Belle Vue who won our Young Carer Champion of the Year Award!
We had an overwhelming number of nominations, the judges were impressed by your incredible dedication to supporting young carers! Young carers at Co-op Academy Belle Vue say they feel seen, understood, and valued.
Through your compassion and commitment, you’ve created a safe space where young carers can relax, make new friends and have a community of young carers to make lasting memories with!
Your work reminds us that teaching is not just about lessons it’s about changing lives. Today, we celebrate your passion, your advocacy, and the difference you make every single day.
The award for Young Carer Champion of 2025 is now open to receive nominations!
We are incredibly proud of our Young Carer Champions, their work makes such a positive and lasting difference to young carers and their families.
Let us celebrate their hard work, recognise their contributions and thank them for all that they do!
Please share the nomination form with parents, carers, support staff and your communities. Nominate 2025 Young Carer Champion
The winner will be announced in April 2026!
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Earlier this year, we launched our design a Young Carer Badge competition.
We asked young carers in key stage 3 and beyond to design a badge that they would be proud to wear! The winning design can be worn by young carers in our schools and settings in the city.
With so many creative entries, the judges had a very tough job, but one design truly stood out.
We’re thrilled to announce Anum, from Chorlton High School, as the creator of the winning design for the Young Carer Badge!
Judges were impressed with her thoughtful and empowering design highlights the strength and resilience of young carers while promoting inclusion and support.
Anum told us....
'I think that this design should be one that is not used to outline the child in anyway at all that would make them feel different, but it should be used to make them feel acknowledged and represented which is, in my opinion the best kind of support we can receive.'
Anum’s design reflects Manchester’s Child-Friendly City principles and sends a powerful message, being a young carer should never limit opportunities.
Congratulations, Anum, for creating a badge that stands as a symbol of respect and empowerment for young carers across Manchester.
Here you can read all about Anum's design and what it represents here- Anum's Winning Badge Design.pdf
If you are a school or setting in Manchester, you can order badges through the Young Carers in School Award!
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We are absolutely delighted to learn that young carers at The East Manchester Academy have been shortlisted at the UTC film festival, for their fantastic piece with our friends at Media Cubs -Media Cubs
This is an amazing achievement, well done to everyone involved!
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Are you a young carer with a creative spark? This winter season, we’re inviting you to share your imagination through a poem or short story!
Celebrating the creativity of young carers and giving you the platform to share your experiences, imagination and festive spirit during the winter season.
Theme-The Unexpected Gift
This theme focuses on receiving a gift that isn't material but rather something intangible, such as a new friendship, a realisation about life, or a second chance.
Theme-Winter Wonderland: Beyond the Snow
Theme is to describe the sensory atmosphere of winter using vivid descriptions, focusing on the sounds, smells, and feelings, not just the visual aspects.
Deadline: Monday 15th December 2025
Winners will receive a goodie bag and a mention in our Newsletter (subject to consents)
Submit Via Email: Araya.Worsley@manchester.gov.uk
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 On Sunday, 14 December, from 12pm to 4pm, enjoy a special seasonal opening filled with family-friendly crafts, beautiful carols from local choirs-including Chetham’s Chinese Music Classroom-and plenty of Christmas cheer. Library Live
Looking for a welcoming space to connect with your little ones, meet other families, and nurture your child’s early development? Come along to our free Storytime sessions, where stories leap off the page and sing-alongs make every moment magical!
Tuesdays at 11:00 am, The Powerhouse Library, M14 4SL
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Love building? Join our LEGO Club every Saturday at 11:00 AM-perfect for creative minds of all ages! Prefer a challenge? Drop by our Chess Club from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM for a friendly match or to sharpen your strategy skills.
Both clubs are free and open to everyone. Bring the family and enjoy a fun-filled day at Gorton Library!
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Join us for a cozy coffee morning during the week of 15 December and treat yourself to a delicious mince pie with your brew.
Comics Club for Young Creators
Do you have a cosmic artist at home? Our brand new cosmic clubs are the perfect spot for under 16s to learn how to draw, write and bring their own stories to life in a fun and welcoming environment.
Abraham Moss Library – Wednesday 3 December, 3:30–4:30pm (ages 8–16)
North City Library – Monday 15 December, 3:30–4:30pm (ages 7–13)
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The Lowry creative groups reopened in September 25, there is still time to express your interest.
Drama Drop-in
A relaxed, drop-in drama group for young carers and care-experienced young people aged 11–17. Sessions focus on building confidence and creativity in a fun, supportive space.
A creative wellbeing group using visual arts to promote self-expression, connection and positive mental health.
Tuesdays 5.30–7pm at The Lowry
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We’re thrilled to share that Year 5 pupils can take part in a fully funded 6-week food growing project with Farm Urban.
The Future Food Heroes programme introduces children to sustainable food systems through hands-on activities like aquaponics, mushroom growing, and worm composting.
This initiative helps pupils learn where food comes from, explore innovative urban farming methods, and develop ideas for a healthier, more sustainable future.
Stay tuned for more details on how we’ll be getting involved! Farm Urban
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Applications close-Friday 2 January 2026
 Are you making music in Greater Manchester or working behind the scenes in the industry?
Apply now to join our Factory Sounds 2026 cohort!
Each year, we support 15 exceptional individuals shaping the future of music. Whether you’re a musician, producer, technician, label owner, or creative professional, Factory Sounds is for you.
We’re especially committed to championing talent from underrepresented communities within the music sector.
More Info & Apply Here
 Enjoy free family fun from 20 December 2025 – 4 January 2026, 10:00am – 5:00pm at the Science and Industry Museum.
Take part in hands-on activities, science shows, and creative challenges. Make shadow art, design faces at the Silhouette Station, and play with colourful lights.
Explore the newly reopened Power Hall with its iconic steam engines, then build your own in the Revolution Manchester gallery. For extra messy fun, add tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You.
A perfect day out for curious kids and grown-ups alike!
Our wonderful partners at HOME invite you to apply for a FREE private screening at HOME as part of their Cinema Social offer.
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to take your young carers on a trip they will remember.
For further information and to register your interest follow the link below. Cinema Social strives to strengthen HOME's connections with local community groups, bringing people together for a shared, uplifting and inclusive experience in HOME's welcoming cinema space.
Cinema Social is exclusively for groups who are making a difference, supporting young people and communities, or working to promote positive change. Register by clicking this hyperlink - Cinema Social | HOME
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