Children's Poet laureate works with Young Carers

To mark this year’s Young Carers Action Day and its empowering theme, Give Us A Break, a group of young carers stepped away from their usual school routines and into the creative world of poetry—led by none other than Welsh poet Nia Marais.

Hosted as a refreshing break from schoolwork and daily responsibilities, the workshop welcomed young people into a fun and supportive space where they explored the craft of poetry. With Nia’s guidance, they got to grips with what makes a poem work—and what doesn’t! From dissecting the difference between "bad" and "good" poems to penning verses about their favourite films, songs, and even one young person’s love for garden peas! It’s safe to say, the creativity flowed freely.

But the workshop wasn’t just about writing—it was about confidence, expression, and connection. By the end of the session, many of the young carers felt inspired to share their pieces with one another, sparking smiles and laughter.

The young carers captured the spirit of the day perfectly:

“What a fun day!”“It was nice to write poems in a new way’’

“I showed all my friends my silly poems on the lunch break and they thought they were really funny.”

Workshops like this show the power of creativity to uplift, connect, and give young carers the space they deserve—to relax and express themselves.