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Happy Herts
2017 Young Carers Conference
In half term our Young Carers Conference took place in Stevenage, bringing together 90 young carers and almost 60 professionals for an exciting, busy and fun-filled day.
The Conference ‘Happy Herts’ was organized and hosted by the Young Carers Council, and focused on health and happiness; what helps young carers to be happy and healthy, and what can get in the way of this.
Young carers started the day with mask-making; this was great fun, and it got us thinking about the side we show other people, and what we sometimes keep hidden. Mask-making was quite messy and glitter glue somehow ended up on the ceiling!
Most of the morning was spent meeting professionals, and talking to them about what matters most to young carers. Young carers had the chance to interview the professionals, and find out what they were doing to support young carers, and what else they could do to help with health and happiness. Some of the main priorities were:
- Introducing young carer issues in to PSHE in schools
- Encouraging health professionals to ask young people if there is anyone at home that relies on them
- Wanting child-friendly leaflets and information available in Hospital and Doctors Surgeries
In the afternoon the young carers walked to Airspace Trampoline Park and were able to have lots of fun on the trampolines before going home.
We were excited that Cleveland was able to meet Pudsey, to celebrate this being the first Young Carers Conference funded by BBC Children in Need. Cleveland has a new friend for life!
The Cleveland Awards Show: Winners!
The Cleveland Awards
Last week we hosted the first ever Cleveland Awards Show as part of the Young Carers’ Conference ‘Happy Herts’.
Throughout January Young Carers could nominate professionals and adults that had made a difference to their life, or to the life of other young carers in Hertfordshire. The awards were designed by young carers, voted for by young carers, and the winners were selected by a panel of impartial young carers.
We received so many nominations for some wonderful people, and the panel said how difficult it was to choose.
We were delighted that all of the winners were able to The Clevelands Award Show, to receive their award.
The winners were…
One-to-one Support for Young carers: Vanda Adams, from Commonswood School in Welwyn.
Most Charitable Contribution: Ware Joggers
Gives a Voice to Young Carers: Jackie Graham, Young Carers Support Advisor from Carers in Hertfordshire
A Special Thank You: Steve Penstone-Smith, long-time supporter of Young Carers in Hertfordshire
Group Events for Young Carers: Tracy Lee, Youth Worker At Youth Connexions Welwyn/Hatfield
A huge congratulations to the winners of the awards and all the nominees – thank you for the fantastic support you are giving young carers in Hertfordshire.
We had a special surprise award on the day to recognise the time, effort and support that one person has given the Young Carers Council over the past 8 years. Kasey, a member of the Young Carers’ Council since 2009, was awarded the Services to the Young Carers’ Council award to say a huge thank you to everything he has done for us over the years. Well done Kasey!
A week in the life of a young carer: Work Experience
My week of Work Experience, by Gemma – age 16.
My name is Gemma and as you can guess I’m a young carer. I help care for my siblings and I help my parents a lot. I’m 16 and I’m home schooled. I love to read and write. I love animals and photography and of course spending quality time with my family.
I had no idea on what I wanted to do for my career. I would always want to do one thing and then after a while I wouldn’t know what career path I was going to take anymore. I was not sure on what I desired in life, not fully. I wanted to be able to at least know that I liked to write for a job. Not only that but I needed to know what work felt like, to have a little taster. I wasn’t sure on what it would feel like.
I went to the Herts Valleys CCG for my work experience. It was amazing. I loved every minute of it and I wish that I never had to leave. The Herts Valleys CCG are a part of the NHS. When I was there I wrote about Young carers, what we do, how to help, mentoring etc. This isn’t all I did however; I helped put posters and letters in envelopes for all of the NHS pharmacies. I created a poster for their Christmas party and I wrote a little something about the party for the staff. I also wrote some tweets out for them. I’ve learnt a lot from my work experience.
“all the people were lovely and made me feel welcome”
Before I went to my work experience I was really nervous and anxious. Especially on my first day. On my way up to the floor I was working on I met someone who works there and she was really nice, she told me to have a great week and not to worry. When I was meeting everyone I was still really nervous and anxious, but when the people I worked with started talking to me it started to evaporate. They all made me feel relaxed and really welcome. They told me that if I was ever stuck on something or needed help to ask them. Everyone was friendly and helpful. They gave me some great tips about my career path and with writing.
“I’ve decided that I love writing”
I’m going to be looking for an apprenticeship at the Herts Valleys CCG. When I worked there I would arrive at 9:30am, I would hang my coat up, put my bag away and log into the computer. I would start my daily task. However, even though I was working I still had a break and lunch. Everyone I worked with was amazing. I was meeting new people all the time and I learnt about what they did. It was an amazing experience.
I enjoyed everything about it, the work I was given, meeting new people. I enjoyed typing on the computer, getting out into the real world and knowing what work feels like. I loved every second of it. I also loved writing about us young carers and making other people aware of what we do and how we help those closest to us.
“It’s going to be hard but I’m determined not to give up”
If you’re not sure on whether to have work experience I hope this has helped you.
Gemma.
If you are a young carer aged 16 – 18 in Hertfordshire and would like to know more about our work experience offer then please call 01992 586969 to speak to a member of the young carers’ team.
Residential Canal Boat Trip
Residential Canal Boat Trip – Spring 2017
A weekend away on a canal boat in Hertfordshire for young carers aged 8 – 13, and 14 – 18!
There is a fantastic opportunity for young carers to take part in a weekend residential canal boating experience in Spring 2017.
31st March – 2nd April: Young carers aged 14 – 18
5th – 7th May: Young carers aged 8 – 13
This is being run by Waterway Experience and Enable Care.
Young carers will be supported by a team of four experienced volunteer crew. They will board at Kings Langley on Friday at 6 pm, and arrive back on Sunday around 5 p.m. For the trip on 5th-7th May there will be one staff member from Carers in Hertfordshire attending.
This is a brilliant opportunity to:
- Build relationships and take part in team-building
- Develop life skills and confidence
- Experience a weekend away and travel through Hertfordshire
- Have lots of fun!
The boats are equipped with a wet room with toilet and shower facilities, a kitchen and large area for relaxing and socialising in, which then gets converted into a dormitory at night.
Please note that this event is not organised by Carers in Hertfordshire and we therefore cannot offer transport to and from the boat.
If you are interested in booking or would like more information please contact us by …
28th February for 14-18 year olds
30th March for 8 – 13 year olds
We will then pass on your contact details to Alice Walters at Enable, who will contact you about the booking process. There will be a separate consent form.
Please note there are limited spaces so contact us as soon as possible.
More information about Enable Care: EnableYoungCarers2017 Flyer
Sports Course: North Herts Young Carers
Sportivate: North Herts, Age 8 – 18
Have you ever tried boxercise or wheelchair basketball?
Would you like to give dodgeball or badminton a go?
After half term we are working in partnership with North Herts Sportivate to offer a course of activities and sports for you to enjoy. This will be running every Thursday afternoon for 6 weeks, and is available to young carers living in North Herts aged 8 – 18.
Activities: boxercise, badminton, wheelchair basketball, netball, dodgeball + 1 more activity
Dates:
Thursday 23rd Feb, and 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th March 2017. 5 – 6 pm
If you are interested in attending please get in touch on 01992 586969, or fill out the booking form below. Please note: any young carer who would like to attend must have a 2017 Annual Consent Form, and be registered with Carers in Hertfordshire.
There is a separate Sportivate form that will be sent to you once you have booked.
North Herts Sportivate booking form: sportivate-north-herts-flyer
Sportivate poster: sportivate-north-herts-poster
2017 Annual consent form: annual-consent-form-2017
Young Carers Conference 2017
Happy Herts will be held on Thursday 16th February 2017 from 9.30 am – 3.45 pm. It will be a fun-filled day with mask making, The Cleveland Awards Show, opportunities to meet other young carers and a trip to Air Space Trampoline Park. It will also be a chance to talk to professionals about what is important to you.
Further information:
Please call 01992 58 69 69 or Email: contact@carersinherts.org.uk to book a place for the Young Carer by Friday 3rd February 2017.
Young Carers will be walking between venues, supervised by staff. Lunch is provided.
Your parent/guardian must also have completed the Annual Consent Form 2017 and returned it to: Carers in Hertfordshire,119 Fore St, Hertford SG14 1AX. Annual consent form: annual-consent-form-2017
The Cleveland Awards Show:
This year the Young Carers’ Council have chosen to host The Cleveland Awards Show, to recognise and say thank you to people who have made a difference in the lives of young carers.
We need YOU to nominate adults and professionals who have made a difference to your life, or the life of other young carers. The award categories are:
- GIVES A VOICE FOR YOUNG CARERS (Speaks out for young carer issues)
- GROUP EVENTS (running events for Young Carers)
- MOST CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION (Fundraising etc.)
- ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT TO YOUNG CARERS (Teacher/GP/Youth Group Leader)
- A SPECIAL THANK YOU
If you would like to nominate someone for any of the above awards, please email your nominations to young.carers@carersinherts.org.uk with ‘The Clevelands’ in the subject. This needs to be emailed or posted to us by 16th January. In the email we will need:
- The name and job title of the person you are nominating
- The contact number or email of the person you are nominating
- What award you are nominating them for
- The reason why you are nominating them
- Your own name and contact details
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Young Carers Conference 2017: Save the Date!
Happy Herts!
We are excited to announce that the 2017 Young Carers Conference ‘Happy Herts’ will be on Thursday 16th February.
The Young Carers Council are currently busy organising the day, but it promises to be full of fun activities, chances to meet other young carers, opportunities to tell professionals what it’s like to be a young carer.
‘Happy Herts’ will be focusing all upon your health and happiness.
The day will include:
- Mask making
- A trip to a Trampoline Park
- Free lunch
- Free t-shirt
- Watching ‘The Clevelands’ award show
- and much much more!
Please save the date now – invites to be sent out in December/January
Sports Courses for Young Carers: Winter 2016-17
Have you ever tried trampolining, rounders or table tennis?
Would you like to give skating, boxercise and gymnastics a go?
This winter we are working in partnership with Sportivate to offer two courses of activities and sports for you to enjoy. These are locality based – please see the information and booking forms below:
Sportivate: East Herts, Broxbourne and Welwyn/Hatfield. Age 11+
Activities: trampolining, table tennis, netball, badminton, rounders and football
This will be running for 6 weeks over December and January, and is available to young carers living in East Herts, Broxbourne and Welwyn/Hatfield aged 11+.
It will be every Tuesday from 5 – 6 p.m at John Warner Sports Centre in Hoddesdon.
Dates:
Tues 6th December, 13th December, 10th January, 17th January, 24th January and 31st January
If you are interested in attending please get in touch on 01992 586969, or fill out the booking form: sportivate-east-herts-broxbourne-flyer
Sportivate: Hertsmere, St Albans and Welwyn/Hatfield. Age 8+
Activities: skating, boxercise, gymnastics, tennis and 2 more to be confirmed
This will be running in December and January and is available to young carers aged 8+ living in Hertsmere, St Albans and Welwyn/Hatfield.
It will be every Thursday from 5.30 – 6.30 p.m at The Hertswood Centre in Borehamwood.
Dates: Thurs 1st December, 8th December, 15th December, 12th January, 19th January, 26th January.
If you are interested in attending please get in touch on 01992586969, or fill our the booking form: sportivate-hertsmere-flyer
Please note: for both of these courses there is a separate consent form for Sportivate. This will be sent to you once we have confirmed your space.
Vote for us: Aviva Community Fund
We need your votes as they could help us receive up to £10,000 from the Aviva Community Fund to support our work making a positive difference to the lives of young carers.
Voting for the Aviva Community Fund opened in October and you have until November 18th to vote.
It’s simple, just register and vote for us through this link https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/vot…/project/view/16-2856
Everyone gets 10 votes each and it would be great if you use your votes to support us and tell your friends and family too because only the projects with the most votes get to the finals and are in with a chance to win a share of the funds.
Thank you!
Activities in Autumn/Winter
After a busy summer we are excited to be planning an equally busy Autumn and Winter.
Here is what we having coming up…
Preparing for work experience: for young carers aged 16+. Thursday 27th October, 10.30 am – 1 pm. More information found here
Santa does Science!: Our Christmas celebration for young carers aged 8 – 12. Experience exciting experiments, crazy chemistry, a Christmas gift and party food! Thursday 22nd December 2 – 4 pm.
All young carers welcome – you don’t have to love science to love this party!
Coming soon…
Multi-sports and activities in East Herts/Broxbourne and Hertsmere with Sportivate. Watch this space…
Booking is essential for every event, and we will need an annual consent form for each young carer that would like to attend. If you would like more information about upcoming events please contact us on:
Email: young.carers@carersinherts.org.uk
Telephone: 01992 586969
