What Happens When We Create With Communities, Not For Them

After six months of workshops, check-ins, planning sessions and plenty of hard work behind the scenes, the night finally arrived — and it looked and felt exactly as they wanted it to.

This event, co-designed with young carers and delivered for Credu Cymru, also marked Done Together CIC’s first commissioned project. More importantly, it marked a night where young carers stepped into a space that reflected their ideas, their choices and their voices.

You can also watch Credu Cymru’s video from the event here.

A Night Created by Young Carers — and Felt by Everyone

From the very beginning, young carers led the creative decisions. They shaped the themes, chose the colours, influenced the playlist and helped guide the nominations. Our role was to make sure they had the structure, encouragement and practical support needed to turn their ideas into a fully realised event.

Over the six months leading up to the celebration, we:

• ran workshops to help shape the event

• checked in regularly through WhatsApp to gather ideas, clarify preferences and keep momentum going

• supported the promotion of nominations and encouraged entries

• guided decisions on décor, food, entertainment and accessibility

• helped break down what needed to happen at each stage

• kept spirits up and rallied the group when energy dipped.

On the day itself, our team handled the full delivery — from set-up, to running the event from start to finish, to the final set-down once everyone had gone home.

The result was a night with a young carer’s fingerprint on every detail, supported by the stability and experience needed to deliver it well.

Credu Cymru captured it perfectly:

“We celebrated the ordinary and extraordinary young carers… They planned the playlist, welcomed guests, blew up the balloons and brought the energy.”

Six Months of Co-Design, One Extraordinary Celebration

This event was built through real and consistent involvement from young carers. They didn’t just attend the celebration — they helped shape it.

They:

• chose the theme, colours and overall tone

• helped shape nomination categories

• influenced décor, catering and entertainment

• welcomed guests and helped host the evening

• brought the personality, warmth and spark that made the night so special.

Behind the scenes, Done Together CIC helped make those ideas deliverable. That meant sourcing suppliers, coordinating logistics, planning the programme, managing timelines and handling the practical elements that young carers should never have to carry on their own.

Community Reactions: Joy, Gratitude and “The Best Night Ever”

The response from everyone involved — partners, suppliers, families and the young carers themselves — reflected just how much the night meant.

“It was a privilege to be part of such an amazing event.”

— Mountaintop Media Ltd

“What an amazing event.”

— Just Desserts Wrexham

“The best night ever.” — Young Carers

(via Credu Cymru)

“To see it coming together just as they wanted — it was brilliant.”

— Leanne, Credu Cymru

“What a wonderful evening… thanks to Ryan and Rob for joining us!”

— Sally, Credu Cymru

“Amazing to be a small part of such a special night!”

— Pivotal Sound & Lighting

“Well done one and all. Big moments with great stories and a million smiles.”

— MC Duxicus Dux

These responses were more than kind words. They reflected pride, ownership and the very real feeling of being seen and celebrated. For young carers, those moments matter deeply.

Why This Matters for Done Together CIC and Wrexham

This was Done Together CIC’s first formally commissioned project, and it could not have reflected our values more clearly.

We believe in creating spaces where communities genuinely shape the things meant for them — supported by people who can help guide, organise and make it happen. This project showed exactly what that can look like in practice.

Conversations that helped plant the seed for Done Together came from this very community, which makes this first commission all the more meaningful.

And if this is the standard set by our first project, we are excited for everything ahead — because Wrexham’s young carers have shown exactly what can happen when people are trusted, supported and celebrated.

Our Reflections

Janye Rowe, Director (Governance & Wellbeing), said:

“Seeing the young people recognised for being unsung heroes, achieving goals, and making a difference in a room filled with friends, family and allies was truly heartwarming. We had an array of local talent, coming together and proudly getting it Done Together!”

Sian Edwards, Director (Communications & Culture), said:

“The group of young carers who helped to organise and set up on the day completely made this event. What really stood out for me was how wholeheartedly they threw themselves into every part of the preparation. From blowing up and decorating the balloons to practising their performances, they put genuine care, pride and energy into every detail. Their excitement and teamwork were infectious, lifting the atmosphere long before the wider group even arrived. It was honestly a privilege to work alongside such an inspiring group.”

Looking Ahead

This celebration was about far more than one evening. It was about what becomes possible when communities are invited in, listened to and trusted to lead.

For us, it was a powerful first commission. For the young carers, it was a night that belonged to them.

And for everyone in the room, it was proof of something simple but important: the best things happen when they are done together