The many faces of care: New exhibition showcases perspectives of Young Adult Carers

Young people who care for their family members show an enormous commitment every day, yet they are often overlooked. The exhibition “Invisible Heroes: Between Everyday Life and Care” at the COSMO Science Forum gives Young Adult Carers a voice, as well as space for dialogue, reflection, and empowerment. The exhibition will run until September 4, 2025.

While most young adults can focus on their education, studies, or growing up, Young Adult Carers bear the additional responsibility of caring for their loved ones – usually without any official recognition or help.

Four young people document their everyday reality through photographs they have taken themselves as well as the accompanying stories. They recount their challenges, while also sharing their coping strategies and sources of strength. The exhibition allows us a closer look into their lives and encourages us to give serious consideration to experiences that our society often overlooks.

The exhibition “Invisible Heroes: Between Everyday Life and Care” was brought to life using the participatory research method Photovoice as part of the “Kraft-Copilot” project at the Center for Open Digital Innovation and Participation (CODIP) at TUD Dresden University of Technology.

Admission is free. More information about the exhibition and project: https://kraft-copilot.de/

To accompany the exhibition, two events will take place on August 28 and 29, 2025, specifically aimed at young people with caregiving responsibilities, their friends, and their companions. It will give them with the opportunity to meet in an easygoing atmosphere, engage in conversation, recharge their batteries, and develop new perspectives.

August 28, 2025, 6:00 pm: “Building blocks for tomorrow: Young caregivers shape the future – workshop with LEGO® Serious Play®”

How do you imagine your future – considering everything you are already accomplishing today? As a young person caring for a family member, you bear a lot of responsibility. This special workshop will give you space to think about your wishes, goals, and perspectives. Using the LEGO® Serious Play® method, you will reconstruct your thoughts into tangible models – creatively, personally, and alongside people who face similar challenges. Find out what is important to you – and what you need for your future.

August 29, 2025, 6:00 pm: “Easy care?! – End of the day for young caregivers & friends”

This evening is for you: A creative workshop invites you to rethink the concept of care. Join the conversation, share experiences and perspectives, and immerse yourself in the everyday life of family caregivers. Afterwards, there will be drinks and snacks as well as music in a relaxed atmosphere – for all family caregivers and those who are part of their lives.

Admission to both events is free. Please register by sending an email to .

Information about the supplementary program: https://www.cosmo-wissenschaftsforum.de/event-programm/

Project funding:

The exhibition is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The content was developed as part of the Kraft-Copilot project (funding measure for interactive technologies for health and quality of life as part of the funding measure “Technology-based innovations for care communities to improve the quality of life and health of informal caregivers”). The implementation of the exhibition is funded as part of the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State governments.

About CODIP:

The Center for Open Digital Innovation and Participation (CODIP) at TUD Dresden University of Technology researches how digital media and tools can be used for teaching, learning and research, and how their use changes the world of work and everyday life. With more than 70 employees, it conducts interdisciplinary work into digital media and tools while developing suitable concepts, educational programs, and digital applications. It focuses on research and development topics both on its own initiative and in alliances with partners from TUD, the entire Federal Republic of Germany and 15 countries worldwide.

Contact:

Dr. Sandra Schulz
Management team, research group management, project management
TUD Dresden University of Technology
CIDS – Center for Interdisciplinary Digital Sciences
Department CODIP – Center for Open Digital Innovation and Participation
Tel.: +49 351 463-32750
Email: 

Cornelia Schade
Deputy, Research Associate
TUD Dresden University of Technology
CIDS – Center for Interdisciplinary Digital Sciences
Department CODIP – Center for Open Digital Innovation and Participation
Tel.: +49 351 463-32664
Email: