Category Archives
Young Carer Involvement
Support for 14 – 18 year old Young Carers
Going to University + Creative Writing
Tuesday 11th April 10 am – 4 pm in Hatfield
Are you aged 14 – 18 and thinking about next steps after school or college?
Do you want to explore this transition in a creative way, or find out more about University options?
If so, come along to our double session:
Going to University: choosing University, University life, application forms, financial support for students
Creative Writing: Join professional writer for a fun and interactive session to explore feelings about the future. Suitable for all!
If you would like to attend, please complete the booking form below and email to young.carers@carersinherts.org.uk
A 2017 Annual Consent form for each young carer attending must be completed if you have not previously done so. Thank you.
Going to Uni booking form: Flyer Going to Uni + Creative Writing 110417
Annual Consent Form 2017: annual-consent-form-2017
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.
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.
Summer Activities update
We’ve had a very busy summer full of activities. This has included:
- braving heights whilst climbing, and darkness whilst caving!
- conquering fears of falling at the Snow Centre!
- scoring points in badminton, netball, handball and hockey!
- learning life skills at Stevenage Fire Station!
- cutting & sticking & collaging & creating!
Here is what young carers have said about just some of the activities…
Sportspace in Dacorum
Tori, age 10 says “I had lots of fun doing the activities & l liked all of them – especially trampolining!”
Creative collaging
“it was super FUN!” “I liked playing cards, collaging, pizza and snacks!”
Residential Canal Boat trip
Annie, age 16 says “The boat trip was amazing, it was a great experience and I met some fantastic people with great personalities”
Fire-fighter for the Day!
A huge thank you to Sportspace Dacorum, Waterways Experience, Enable Care, Stevenage Fire Station, Snowbility and Unglue You and all of our fundraisers for supporting these projects!
Preparing for Work Experience!
Are you aged 16+ and thinking about getting work experience?
Do you want to develop your skills to prepare for future jobs?
We are running a Preparing for Work Experience session on Thursday 27th October 10.30 am – 1pm. The session will help you to…
- Think about your interests and skills
- Explore how you might communicate these in a job application or interview
We also have a number of work experience opportunities and will try to find an interesting and useful placement for you.
If you are interested in attending the session, or would like to find out more information please contact:
Telephone: 01992 586 969
Email: young.carers@carersinherts.org.uk
Cleveland working hard at his work experience placement – gaining lots of new skills and experience!
Sportspace Summer 2016
Have you ever tried climbing, caving or trampolining?
Would you like to give cardio kicks, fencing or badminton a go?
This summer we are working in partnership with Sportspace Dacorum to offer taster sessions of a range of activities and sports for you to enjoy. This will be running every Thursday afternoon throughout the summer holiday, and is available to young carers living in Dacorum, St Albans, Watford and Three Rivers aged 8+.
28th July: Trampolining and Handball
4th August: Cardio kick, aerobics, circuits, bootcamp exercise (aged 15+)
11th August: Netball and Rush Hockey
18th August: Climbing and Caving
25th August: Fencing and Badminton
1st September: Orienteering at Phasels Wood
If you are interested in attending any of the above then please contact us as soon as possible – spaces are limited.
Carers Week Coffee Morning
A huge thank you to the Young Carers Council who hosted a cake and coffee morning in Stevenage on Saturday morning.
The event was in aid of Carers Week to raise awareness of young carers, as well as a celebration of Carers in Hertfordshire’s 21st Birthday.
6 young carers helped to decorate cakes, welcomed members of the public and talked about the role of the Young Carers Council. The event raised over £80 for young carers in Hertfordshire – THANK YOU!
We were also excited to welcome the newly elected Youth Mayor for Stevenage, Emma, who has said she would like to raise awareness of young carers in the town.
Thank you to everyone who supported this event!
Pro-Action Young Volunteer of the Year Winner
A huge congratulations to Kasey who won the award for Young Volunteer of the Year at Pro-Action’s Awards Evening last week.
The Pro-Action Awards are all about appreciating and celebrating the incredible work done with children and young people in communities across Hertfordshire. Kasey was nominated to celebrate the support he has given to other young carers, and the time he has spent organising the Young Carers Conference, talking to professionals about caring and attending other fundraising and awareness events for Carers in Hertfordshire.
A very well deserved win… well done Kasey!
