26 Years of the Young Carers Festival
In 2026, we celebrate 26 years of the Young Carers Festival, the world’s largest residential festival created exclusively for young people with caring responsibilities.
In Partnership
A weekend that gives young carers their childhood back
A proper break. Real laughs. No explaining. Just a weekend where you can breathe, be yourself, and have fun with people who get it.
The Young Carers Festival is a full weekend camping experience for young carers aged 11–17, packed with music, activities, fairground fun, and places to switch off when you need to.
Not having to explain themselves
Being around people who just get it
Staying up late laughing with friends
Trying things they never thought they could
Feeling normal for a weekend
Going home with stories instead of worries
What young carers tell us they love most
The best bits are not the big loud moments. It’s the feeling of finally being around people who understand.
A weekend in their shoes
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Booking + pricing
Choose your ticket type below. Prices are shown per person for each buying period.
| Buying period | Young person ticket cost |
Young person ticket cost plus tent |
Staff ticket cost |
Staff ticket cost plus tent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presale 12/01/26 – 15/02/26 | £110 | £120 | £55 | £65 |
| Early Bird 16/02/26 – 31/04/26 | £120 | £130 | £60 | £70 |
| Standard 01/05/26 – 31/05/26 | £130 | £140 | £97.50 | £107.50 |
Tent hire is £10 per person
Group booking overview
Booking is designed for groups, so young people can attend with the support of their service or organisation.
Groups book places and pay per person
YMCA provides food, accommodation (unless bring your own), and activities
Young people must attend as part of a group
Info needed at booking
Have your group name, lead contact details, estimated numbers (young people and staff), and any accommodation preference (YMCA or bring your own) ready.
Payment process
Ticket costs are per person and vary by buying period. You’ll follow the booking steps, confirm totals, then pay in line with the payment instructions provided at checkout.
Refunds
Refund rules depend on the booking terms for the year. If plans change, contact the festival team as soon as possible so they can advise on next steps.
What happens after booking
You’ll receive booking confirmation and next-step guidance. Closer to the festival, you’ll complete registration details for each attendee.
Registration timeframe
Registration typically opens after ticket booking and closes ahead of the event so final lists, catering, and safeguarding processes can be completed.
Info for young people
The Young Carers Festival is a full-weekend camping event at YMCA Fairthorne Manor for 11–17-year-old young carers, packed with music, outdoor activities, chill-out spaces and chances to meet others who understand your experiences.
I’m 18+ can I help?
VolunteerIf you’re 18 or over but would like to volunteer at the Young Carers Festival, volunteers are always welcome and play a vital role in making the weekend safe, fun and memorable for young carers.
Got ideas?
AnonymousTell us what you want more of at the festival. Music, activities, chill-out spaces, anything. If it would make the weekend better, we want to hear it.
Info for parents and carers
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My child’s service is bringing a group
Emergency contact
In addition, the festival has a Duty Manager on call at all times, who works closely with group leaders and festival staff to ensure any emergency is dealt with quickly and safely.
FAQs
Unfortunately all young people need to be attached to an organised group who will sort out their own bookings, logistics, paperwork and transport etc. As the host of the event YMCA Fairthorne Manor organise the activities, entertainment and food but are unable to take responsibility for individual young people. To find your local group please go to: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/young-carers/local-service-finder
There will be facilities for both Leaders and Young people to charge their phones over the weekend free of charge. Please ensure you bring cables with the phones to the charging points.
YMCA Fairthorne Manor
A unique outdoor activity venue set in the heart of Hampshire countryside. With 95 acres of land to explore including ample camping grounds, woodlands, an enclosed lake, plus and enchanting entrance to upper reaches of the River Hamble.