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

ITV – Wales this Week: Too Young to Care?

Posted on July 26, 2024July 26, 2024 by Michael Ford

ITV – Wales this Week: Too Young to Care?

We are proud to announce that a young carer from Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales featured in ITV’s weekly Wales this Week show called “Too Young to Care?”. The show sheds light on the reality that more than 11,000 children in Wales care for a family member. The latest episode highlights the immense responsibilities these young carers shoulder and the urgent need for more support to ease their burden and safeguard their wellbeing.
At Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales, through our Young Carers Service we support children and young people with 1:1 support, opportunities to meet other young carers, and attend trips and activities that might otherwise be unavailable to them. Since 2015 we have supported almost 1000 children and young people in Carmarthenshire. We believe that children and young people need time away from their caring role to be children, decompress, and thrive.
Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, our service is crucial for these young carers. However, this funding expires next year. The show underscores the importance of continued support and investment to ensure these young carers can continue receiving the help they need.
Tune in to ITV to watch these inspiring young individuals share their stories and advocate for much-needed change.

Carers and Carers Assessment

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Michael Ford

Am I a Carer?

It takes two years on average for someone to identify themselves as a carer. Many people consider caring as part and parcel of family life and see themselves primarily as a partner, wife, son, sibling, cousin, parent or a close friend. As a result they might not see the need to identify themselves separately as a carer.

But identifying as an unpaid carer can bring benefits such as access to support services, information, validation and access to carers rights.
Overall, identifying as a carer and accessing support can help to enhance wellbeing and many carers feel a greater sense of fulfilment when their role is recognised and valued.

Am I entitled to a Carers Assessment?

The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 came into force on the 6th April 2016.
The Act in Wales applies to people in need, of any age and introduces equivalent rights for carers to those they care for.

If you provide unpaid care for someone you are entitled to a Carers Needs Assessment whether or not you live with the person who you care for, and you can have an assessment regardless of whether the person you care for has had their own assessment, or whether the person you care for is having social care support.

The purpose of a Carers Needs Assessment is to find out what your needs as a Carer are and to help you to access services or support that you may need to help support your wellbeing while you carry out your caring role.

The local council, usually a Social Worker, will carry out the Carers Needs Assessment and there is a clear legal duty on the local council to consider the following:

they must assess whether you have needs for support or are likely to do so in the future.
the extent that you are able and willing to provide care and will continue to be able and willing to do so.
what matters to you and the personal outcomes that you wish to achieve.
the extent to which support, preventative services, provision of information, advice and assistance can assist you with achieving those outcomes.
the assessment must also have regard to whether you work, wish to work and whether you are participating or wish to participate in education, training or leisure activities.

A Carers Assessment could result in a Care & Support Plan to help you manage your caring role including accessing breaks from caring.