New photography exhibition celebrating young carers in Wrexham

A photography portrait exhibition celebrating young carers has opened in Wrexham.

Credu, which supports young carers in the county borough and is funded by Wrexham County Borough Council, has been running a project called ‘Making Carers Count’.

The venture has focused on raising awareness of young carers in schools, in their community, and nationally.

It has culminated in a photography portrait exhibition, which is on display at Tŷ Pawb until April 30, 2024.

The display features a series of photographs of young carers with their families playing, laughing, and connecting.

Credu commissioned the Barrow Boys film production company who approached the work sensitively and flexibly – with families meeting their photographer wherever they felt most comfortable.

The organisation said that felt it was important to show the families in a natural way; be that playful, loving, shy or getting messy, and to represent the young carer or young carers in each household within the context of their family.

Feedback from some of the families included:

“I never thought it would be possible to get pictures like that of them, my son hates the camera usually.”

“They’re all amazing, he really has captured them all so well! I feel so privileged to have our family as part of it all.”

“These are awesome! Thanks much, they definitely show the love and chaos all rolled into one.”

The exhibition was opened on Thursday, March 28, with Councillor Rob Walsh, Lead Member for Children’s Services and Councillor Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education in Wrexham both in attendance to meet the families.

Cllr Rob Walsh, Lead Member for Children’s Services said: “The exhibition excellently portrays the lives of young carers in a natural way.

“The photographs are bursting with happiness and love, and it was a pleasure to meet the young carers and take a look at the excellent photographs on display.”

Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education said: “Young carers can take on a lot of adult responsibilities, so the support that Credu (WCD Young Carers) can give is an excellent service that allows the children to just be children.

“The photographs that are on display really shows the playful, happy side of the families involved and I would encourage everyone to pop along to Tŷ Pawb to take a look and learn more about the excellent work of our young carers’ service.”

Credu has also been running spoken word workshops both in-person in Llandudno and online with North Wales based poet Martin Daws. To hear some of the recording and written text visit the website.

For more information, email [email protected] or [email protected] or visit the Credu website.