Kate Young, Director – All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers

Kate Young is Director of the All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers, the national network for family carers of people with learning disabilities, engaging with more than 4,000 families across Wales. She is a passionate advocate for rights, personal choice and inclusion, with a particular interest in learning disability and carers’ issues.

As a sibling carer to her brother, who lives with severe learning disabilities and autism, Kate brings valuable lived experience alongside her professional expertise. This gives her a unique perspective on the social model of disability and the inequalities that continue to affect many people and families across Wales.

Alongside her role with the Forum, Kate serves as Vice-Chair of WCVA, Vice-Chair of the Wales Committee of The National Lottery Community Fund, and Third Sector Non-Executive Board Member for Public Health Wales. She also contributes to a range of Welsh Government policy groups and forums.

Kate is a strong advocate for the role of communities and the third sector and believes that when people, communities and organisations come together around a shared purpose, they become a powerful force for positive change, innovation and improved wellbeing.

Caring Communities – Building Rainbow Connections Together

In this inspiring keynote session, Kate will explore the power of communities, partnerships and lived experience in creating meaningful change. Drawing on both her professional leadership and personal experience as a sibling carer, Kate will reflect on the importance of ensuring that the voices of carers, families and communities are at the heart of service design and decision-making.

• The role of carers and families in shaping services
• Community voice and co-production
• The strength of partnership working
• Inclusion, equality and belonging
• Harnessing the power of communities to drive change