Supporting the Mental Health of Young Carers, with Coleg Sir Gâr

Posted on October 10, 2024October 11, 2024 by Michael Ford

Supporting the Mental Health of Young Carers, with Coleg Sir Gâr

Being a student brings a host of challenges—financial pressures, moving away from home, managing relationships, and the demands of studying and exams. However, for young carers, these challenges are amplified by the added responsibility of caring for a loved one. Unlike their peers, young carers often have to leave lectures early or spend their days worrying about the person they care for, adding an extra layer of stress to an already demanding life.

Research shows that young carers are more likely to achieve lower grades than their abilities would predict, simply due to the pressures of their caring role. In Wales, statistics confirm that this constant strain takes a toll on their mental health and well-being, with many young carers acknowledging that the burden negatively affects their emotional resilience and ability to focus on their studies.

This is where Carmarthenshire Crossroads Young Carers (CCYC) plays a vital role. The service works closely with schools and colleges to identify young carers early, ensuring they receive the tailored support they need to thrive both academically and personally. A key part of this is our collaboration with the wellbeing team at Coleg Sir Gâr. Together, we ensure that young carers are identified at the earliest opportunity, and we work to provide robust, ongoing support tailored to their individual needs.

CCYC’s dedicated key workers offer one-to-one support, providing a safe space for young carers to talk about their struggles and guiding them in accessing other essential services that can ease their load. Additionally, our group sessions give young carers the chance to connect with peers who share similar experiences, allowing them to discuss their caring roles and unwind from the daily pressures they face. We also organise activities and overnight stays, giving them the rare opportunity to step away from their responsibilities and simply enjoy being young.

As part of our commitment to supporting young carers, we were proud to participate in the Coleg Sir Gâr event on 10th October, celebrating World Mental Health Day. Alongside other organisations, we were there to show young people that we are present when they need us, offering the support they require to thrive both in their caring roles and in their personal lives.

The services provided by CCYC are crucial for young carers in Carmarthenshire. Together with the wellbeing team at Coleg Sir Gâr, we offer a lifeline to those balancing education with the heavy weight of caring, ensuring they are not only seen and supported but also given the opportunity to succeed—both in the classroom and beyond.

By offering this essential support, CCYC is helping to uplift a generation of young carers who deserve not only recognition for their dedication but also the chance to reach their full potential.

Freshers Week in Carmarthenshire

Posted on September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 by Michael Ford

Freshers Week in Carmarthenshire

As young people across the country prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives for college or university, young carers face unique challenges in balancing their academic ambitions with their caring responsibilities. Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales steps up to support these young carers, offering essential guidance, arranging continuing support information as they make the significant transition into further and higher education.

During Freshers Week, our entire team was present at colleges and universities across Carmarthenshire to connect with new and returning students who may be young carers. We aim to ensure that young carers are identified early, feel welcomed, supported, and informed about the assistance available to them during their studies.

Relocating for uni

Moving away to university is a significant milestone, but it can also be a time of uncertainty, particularly for young carers who are used to balancing their education with caring responsibilities at home. Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales understands the complex pressures young carers face and is dedicated to providing practical solutions to help them succeed in this new environment and offer peace of mind of support available for the family remaining at home.

Our experienced staff are equipped to engage directly with young carers at Freshers Fairs, answering questions, offering information and resources, and helping to identify specific support services that can make their university experience smoother.

Collaborating with Education Establishments

Our commitment to young carers goes beyond Freshers’ Week. Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales actively collaborates with schools, colleges and universities on an ongoing basis. We regularly engage with teaching staff, student support services, and key establishment members. These interactions are vital for ensuring that young carers are identified early, allowing them to access the help they need before they become overwhelmed.

Through our outreach programmes and staff training sessions, we equip others with the tools to identify, support and refer these students on. Whether it’s by identifying potential young carers in their classes or guiding them to relevant resources, education establishments play a crucial role in early identification, creating a supportive environment for young carers and helping them access additional support.

Future Frontline Professionals

In addition to working with education staff, Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales also reaches out to student teachers, nurses, and other future professionals. By raising awareness during their training, we aim to build a network of informed individuals who can identify and support young carers in their future careers.

This outreach is critical, as young carers often remain hidden within educational and healthcare settings, only being identified when their responsibilities begin to take a toll on their academic or personal well-being.

For more information about our services and how we support young carers, please visit our get in touch with our dedicated team. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of young carers across West Wales.

Breaking Barriers: Young Carers Discover Academic Potential in themselves

Posted on September 3, 2024September 9, 2024 by Michael Ford

Breaking Barriers: Young Carers Discover Academic Potential in themselves

Over the summer holidays, a group of Young Carers participated in a residential experience at Swansea University, organised by Reaching Wider. The program aimed to provide these young carers with a taste of university life and an opportunity to explore various academic and recreational activities, as well as giving the Young Carers a well-deserved break from their caring roles.

Objectives:

Provide Young Carers with a first hand experience of university life, including staying in student halls.
Introduce young carers to a variety of academic disciplines and potential career paths.
Foster a sense of well-being and community among Young Carers.
Offer a break from their caring responsibilities and allow them to engage in fun, educational, and creative activities.

Activities

During their stay at Swansea University, the Young Carers participated in a wide range of activities that were both educational and recreational:

Occupational Therapy Workshop: This session allowed the Young Carers to learn about the field of occupational therapy, understand its importance, and engage in practical demonstrations.
Zoology Exploration: An interactive session where the carers could explore different aspects of zoology, learning about animal biology, habitats, and conservation efforts.
Paramedics Experience: This activity provided insight into the life and duties of a paramedic. Participants learned about emergency response techniques and the importance of first aid skills.
Bowling: A recreational activity that promoted team-building and fun. It was a great way for the carers to relax and bond with each other.
Creative Activity: This included arts and crafts, encouraging self-expression and creativity. It also served as a therapeutic activity to relieve stress.
Well-being Sessions: Various sessions focused on mental health, relaxation techniques, and strategies to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Feedback

‘I just would like to say I was really scared of going on my own and I didn’t know if I wanted to go but I did and I am glad I did because it was absolutely brilliant, and I can I just say the staff were excellent. My favourite activity we did was the paramedics I never thought I would love something so much in my life the whole experience was amazing I would love to go again’

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the experience at Swansea university as it opened up more interests for me and allowed me to have a lot of fun with my friends, I would love to go again as it was a great opportunity to experience new things.’

Hi my name’s faith I went on the Swansea university residential I enjoyed the experience and am looking forward to go to university in the future it was a break from day to day life and I’ve learnt many things such as university isn’t like school as you can make your schedule to suite you and as a young carer is very helpful. The University is a safe secure place and I felt I could speak to the staff members comfortably if needed. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would like to go again.

Hi my name is Katie-Ann I went on a Swansea university and I enjoined the experience of all of the different choices of the things you can do at Swansea University. The thing I enjoyed the most is was when we did the paramedics I would really like to go to a university.

Lacey said She really enjoyed the residential stay away as she made more friends. Lacey said she enjoyed the paramedic and OT session. Bowling was fun and she enjoyed going to Nines in the evening as we have been in the day before. Felt spoilt with all the free goodies.

I thoroughly enjoyed the young carers trip to Swansea University. Even though I didn’t stay overnight I attended the 2 days and loved every activity I did in them both. My favourite part was the paramedics session, I gained a lot of helpful information from this lesson. I enjoyed with all of the other young cares especially going bowling and going to nines. I want to say thank you to everybody that made them days so special to me and I enjoyed every minute of them. Diolch x

Young Adult Carers Visit to the Royal Welsh Show: A Day of Discovery and Fun

Posted on August 13, 2024October 1, 2024 by Michael Ford

Young Adult Carers Visit to the Royal Welsh Show: A Day of Discovery and Fun

On July 24th, seven Young Adult Carers (YACs) aged 16-22 had the opportunity to visit the Royal Welsh Show Ground in Builth Wells. This event, known for its grand displays of agriculture, livestock, and rural life, offered our young carers a much-needed break from their demanding responsibilities. Accompanied by three staff members, the YACs embarked on what turned out to be a memorable and enriching experience.

The day began early, with the first pick-up at 7:25 a.m., requiring our staff to leave home even earlier. For some, this early start was challenging, but the anticipation of the day ahead kept spirits high. The journey was long, and the last of the group didn’t return home until after 7 p.m., making it a full day out for everyone involved.

Despite the early start and long day, the weather was kind to us. The day was mostly dry and warm, creating the perfect conditions to explore the vast array of outdoor attractions at the show. Upon arrival, the sheer scale of the event left many of the YACs in awe. The Royal Welsh Show is renowned for its expansive grounds filled with activities and exhibits, and it didn’t disappoint.

Throughout the day, the YACs experienced a variety of displays, including tractor shows, dog obedience demonstrations, and an array of livestock exhibitions. They marveled at the sight of cows with their calves, sheep with their lambs, and the impressive prize bulls. The show ponies and horses also captivated the group, as did the abundance of other rural attractions that highlighted the rich agricultural heritage of Wales.

A professional cameraman accompanied our group to capture these moments, helping us document the experiences of young carers. This footage will be valuable in raising awareness about the challenges these young people face and the importance of providing them with opportunities to enjoy life beyond their caring roles.

After overcoming the initial overwhelm of the event’s scale, the YACs quickly relaxed and made the most of their day. The event provided not just entertainment but also a sense of escape and enjoyment, which is so vital for young carers who often carry heavy responsibilities at home.

In all, the trip to the Royal Welsh Show was a resounding success. It was a day filled with laughter, learning, and relaxation—a perfect reminder of the joy that can be found in taking a break and experiencing something new.

A huge thank you to the Royal Welsh for the generosity in providing the tickets.