Twenty two confident and mature young adult carers have been described as an asset to any workplace after graduating from their ground-breaking employability programme.

Their achievements were celebrated by the charity MYTIME Young Carers at an event generously hosted by the Norfolk Royale Hotel in Bournemouth.

Guests included Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns, Bournemouth Mayor Cllr David Kelsey and Poole Mayor Cllr Julie Bagwell, pictured right.

The MYTIME employability programme was written by Emma Fry, Employability Programme Director, who is a qualified careers leader and adviser with a background in teaching and delivering employability skills to young people.

Emma designed the course with the aim of helping young adult carers recognise and reach their full potential.

It included providing young carers with careers advice, employee mentors and the opportunity to hear from inspirational speakers.

Partners involved included The Colour Works Foundation, Jim Cregan, Co-founder of Jimmys Iced Coffee, and former young carer and author Rochelle Bugg.

Emma said: “It is a real pleasure to work alongside such wonderful young people.

“The employability programme has created fantastic opportunities for young carers, with many securing a job or a place in university.”

Krista Sharp, CEO of MYTIME Young Carers, pictured with Conor Burns MP, said: “Research shows that on average young carers miss 48 school days a year and perform nine grades lower than their peers at GCSE, with many ending up not in employment, education or training (NEET).

“The employability programme helps address these issues by providing young adult carers with high quality careers advice and the opportunity to understand the incredible skill set they develop through their caring roles.”

There are estimated to be 700,000 young carers in UK but only 166,000 are registered as such.

It means the vast majority are facing the challenges of caring for a vulnerable relative, without support from their school or local authority.

MYTIME’s aim is to help young carers overcome these challenges and to create a society which is more aware, inclusive and supportive of young carers.

The charity seeks to recruit as much support as possible from both companies and the public.

Prospective supporters are invited to visit the MYTIME website at mytimeyoungcarers.org.