On 24th March 2011, SYC's VOYCE group (Views of Young Carers Explained) hosted a large-scale awareness-raising event for professionals from across Sheffield, to create more understanding about the issues young carers face and to improve support for young carers across the city.

The event was hosted by 8 young carers aged 8-17, with many other project members supporting the fundraising, organisation and publicity for the event.

73 professionals from a range of fields, including health, education, social care and the community/voluntary sector attended to hear what the VOYCE group had to say. The young people involved delivered a powerful presentation sharing some of their experiences as young carers and explaining an action plan that they have created that they want professionals to take forward in Sheffield.

The group also facilitated a range of workshops, enabling participants to find out more and to pledge actions of support.

The group had the opportunity to speak to Mr David Blunkett for 30 minutes at the start of the event, to share their views directly with him, and he then presented them with ASDAN certificates for the training and work they have put in to form their participation group and lead this event.

The event was huge success, with glowing feedback form everyone who attended. Many people also made direct pledges of support, including promises to fund, produce and implement a young carers ID card in local schools to reduce the embarrassment and stress of explaining about home issues whenever caring impacts on people's schooling, with more understanding at school a key issue in the VOYCE action plan.

The group also spoke on local radio, appeared in the Sheffield Star and contacted every school in Sheffield to notify them about the event. Congratulations to everyone involved – an amazing achievement. You are really making sure everyone hears the Views of Young Carers Explained!!!