The hidden lives of young carers from across Salford will be the focus of a new play at The Lowry later this month.
Who Cares? highlights the reality facing some young people who – often under the radar of social services, their schoolteachers and friends – provide care to family members with a physical disability, an illness, a mental health issue or a drug or alcohol dependency.
The play, which was commissioned by The Lowry in partnership with Salford Young Carers Service, is the culmination of more than a year’s research and interviews with young people by verbatim theatre specialists, LUNG.
Stories include a nine-year-old girl who became the full-time carer to her father after he was paralysed in a car crash, and a seven-year-old boy who, while struggling with his schoolwork, provided more than 20 hours a week care to his mum and younger sister at home.
Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “As around 70% of young carers are ‘hidden’ we wanted to give some of those in Salford a platform to express their thoughts, feelings and ideas about their caring responsibilities.
“LUNG is one of our Associate Artists and has an excellent reputation for producing quality verbatim theatre. We are also grateful to Salford Young Carers Service – an organisation we have worked closely with for more than six years – for bringing together young carers from across the city so they could tell their stories.
“We hope Who Cares? will help raise awareness of the whole issue of young carers, make it easier for people to identify young carers in their community and ensure those providing care get access to the support they need.”
Complementing the performance is an exhibition called Hidden by Max Alexander (15 – 24 November). Led by the Children’s Society, this exhibition is part of The Big Lottery funded Young Carers in Focus programme and features the portraits of 22 young carers from across the country.
Listings Information
Who Cares?
Tuesday 22 November 2016, 7pm
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ
Tickets: £10.50 (Includes £2.50 booking fee)
Box Office: 0843 208 6000
