This academic exchange will explore learning from participatory research into the ethical issues associated with training events young carers have been involved in, who care for a family member with substance misuse and/or mental ill health. These stigmatised areas of caring, often hidden, and unaddressed, are of particular interest due to the complexity of children and families’ lives in these areas.

This research was facilitated by UoG and included 16 participants and 3 peer researchers from Gloucestershire and Sheffield Young Carers. The methods used co-produced participatory and creative focus groups. Young carers’ voices in the research indicated that their stories are often untold or go unheard due to stigma and shame. Findings indicated the importance and complexities of sharing stories, experiences of validation, solidarity, and the emotional and developmental journey young carers experienced training others.

The learning and recommendations can be transferred to considerations of including people with lived experiences in teaching and learning activities. Recommendations include the importance of holistic risk assessment and consent, co-production and creativity, creating safe and supportive learning environments, and communicating the impact and influence of the training back to people with lived experiences who have shared their stories with students.