Dudley Young Carers Meet an Author… and Some Very Unusual Aliens
There was a real buzz of excitement on Monday night, as Dudley Young Carers joined a special online workshop with award winning children’s author Rab Ferguson.
Ferguson’s book series, The Late Crew, is brilliantly fast-paced, packed with adventure, mystery… and aliens! It tell the story of a group of Young Carers who embark on alien adventures.
Speaking to the Voice’s Tom Beasley, Ferguson recounted what he wanted the books to convey:
“I wanted it to be something that was really fun for young carers to read. So I wanted there to be alien adventures and silliness and slime that can take over people’s bodies… I wanted it to be this adventure that any child could enjoy, but particularly Young Carers would find it good to see kids similar to themselves in books.”
Dudley Young Carers were certainly excited at the opportunity to step into Ferguson’s world of adventure, and it did not disappoint!
From the very start, the session captured everyone’s imagination. Rab treated the group to a live reading from The Late Crew, bringing the story to life and giving our Young Carers a chance to hear the characters and action exactly as the author imagined them. It didn’t take long before curiosity and creativity took over.
Creating Aliens Like No Other
Inspired by the story, the group took on a fun and imaginative challenge: design their very own aliens!
The ideas were as creative as they were unique. Young Carers thought about:
– Shape and size – from tiny glowing creatures to towering giants
– Smell – some sweet like lavender, others… not so pleasant!
– Superpowers – invisibility, time travel, mind-reading and more
– Mission to Earth – from helping humans, to secret undercover plans
Each alien had its own personality and purpose, showing just how imaginative and thoughtful the group were. It was a great reminder of the creativity Young Carers bring, even while managing important responsibilities at home.
Asking the Big Questions
The session also gave Young Carers the chance to ask Rab what it’s really like to be an author. The questions were fantastic – thoughtful, curious, and sometimes very funny:
– “Do your books come true?”
– “Why did you include a young carer in your book?”
– “What made you want to become an author?”
Rab shared that stories don’t come true in the way we might think—but they are often inspired by real life, real people, and real feelings. He explained that including a young carer in The Late Crew was really important to him, helping to make sure young carers feel seen, recognised, and represented in stories.
For many in the group, it was powerful to see their experiences reflected in a book. Young Carers are often balancing school, friendships, and caring responsibilities—so seeing characters like themselves in exciting, adventurous stories helps build confidence and a sense of belonging.
Session to Remember
The workshop wasn’t just about reading—it was about creativity, confidence, and connection. It gave Young Carers the chance to:
– Express themselves through storytelling and design
– Engage directly with an author
– See their experiences valued and represented
It can often be challenging for Young Carers to engage in creative activities, due to restraints with finances, time or travel.
At Dudley Young Carers Hub, we are committed to providing these opportunities for Young Carers, and Ferguson’s session was an excellent chance for them to explore some of these creative adventures.
Most importantly, it was fun. And sometimes, that’s exactly what Young Carers need.
Who knows? After a session like this, we might just have some future authors—and alien designers—in the making!