University of Nottingham Carer Honoured by King Charles at Windsor Castle Reception
A young adult carer from the University of Nottingham has been recognised for his advocacy work by King Charles, following an invitation to the prestigious King's Carers Reception at Windsor Castle. Danny Donnelly, who serves as a Dean's Health Sciences Intern and Project Lead at the university, attended the event on February 11, where he engaged in a meaningful conversation with the monarch about the often-hidden realities of caring responsibilities.
Revealing the Hidden Crisis in Schools and Universities
During the reception, Danny highlighted a startling statistic: approximately one in ten young people are carers, yet 72% of schools report having none identified in their cohorts. This discrepancy sparked a thoughtful discussion on the need for early recognition and support. Danny's invitation was a testament to his lived experience as a carer and his dedicated efforts to amplify the voices of unpaid carers across educational, health, and community settings.
As Co-Chair of the recent All-Party Parliamentary Group inquiry into Removing Barriers to Higher Education, Employment and Training for young carers, Danny played a pivotal role in gathering evidence from carers, researchers, charities, and public bodies nationwide. The inquiry underscored the profound educational impact of caring duties, revealing that young carers miss an average of 23-27 school days per year, leading to lower academic attainment. Fewer than half achieve five GCSE passes, and about half report that caring has restricted their access to further education or job opportunities.
Long-Term Impacts and University Initiatives
Further findings from the inquiry demonstrated a clear correlation between caring intensity and higher education outcomes. Those providing just four hours of care weekly are 47% less likely to earn a degree, with the likelihood dropping by up to 86% for those dedicating 35 hours or more. In response, Danny emphasised the broader societal implications, noting that around three in five adults will become carers at some point in their lives.
He stated, "This invitation reflects the growing recognition of unpaid carers and the reality that supporting carers is everyone's business. Early recognition and preventative support can significantly enhance carers' wellbeing, enabling them to stay engaged in education, work, and community life while maintaining independence." At the University of Nottingham, Danny is involved in foundational work to better identify and assist students with caring responsibilities, collaborating closely with students and external partners to develop future support frameworks.
Building Support Systems for Student Carers
The University of Nottingham has established a Student Carer Working Group, co-chaired with the Director of Student Experience, Sally Olohan, MBE. This group focuses on unpaid student carers at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, aiming to improve visibility, learn from student experiences, and enhance signposting and partnerships. In its initial phase, the university contacted 184 students who disclosed caring responsibilities via UCAS this academic year, directing them to existing support services and inviting feedback to guide future initiatives, including focus groups.
Sally Olohan commented, "The university is determined to improve access and support for all students balancing studies with caring duties. We are delighted that Danny's work is being recognised at the highest level. Through his insights and internship, we aim to raise awareness of resources that help our student carers succeed." This ongoing effort underscores the institution's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where every student can thrive despite personal challenges.
