Taste, Togetherness, Transformation: The Meal That Changed Perspectives

Posted on December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 by Michael Ford

Taste, Togetherness, Transformation: The Meal That Changed Perspectives

We were delighted to welcome Sarah Fraser, the Young Carer Engagement Officer for Carers Trust Wales, who joined us to connect with the young people, understand their circumstances, and explain how her role could support them. Sarah’s work focuses on empowering young and young adult carers and raising their aspirations through three key initiatives:

First, the Young Carers in Schools Challenge aims to empower young carers and create supportive communities within schools. The initiative encourages local services to work closely with schools, helping them identify and support young carers effectively.

Second, the Youth Council amplifies the voices of young carers aged 11-18, enabling them to campaign for change, contribute to youth parliament activities, shape Carers Trust Wales projects, and participate in research. It also fosters the development of skills like communication, teamwork, and confidence.

Finally, the Employability Project raises awareness of young adult carers’ transferable skills and encourages inclusivity in the workplace. This initiative provides training, resources, and opportunities to explore career paths, helping young carers build aspirations and access opportunities post-16.

We look forward to collaborating with Sarah in the future, enabling the young carers we work with to participate in these transformative projects and benefit from the opportunities they provide. This partnership represents an exciting step toward empowering young carers and supporting them to achieve their full potential.

This year’s Young Adult Carers Annual Christmas event was a heart-warming success, full of joy, discovery, and connection. By popular demand, we returned to Nines in Swansea, a global buffet offering a variety of cuisines that catered to everyone’s tastes. For some young carers, this was their first experience trying foods from around the world. One young carer shared their excitement, saying, “This is amazing, I have never seen anything like it!”

Beyond the culinary adventure, the event provided invaluable opportunities for young carers to step away from their responsibilities and immerse themselves in an environment of peer support and friendship. These moments allow young carers to connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding that is often hard to find elsewhere.

Such events are more than just a break from routine; they create lasting memories and relationships that remind young carers they are not alone. These connections can help build their confidence and emotional resilience, providing a support network that will benefit them long after the event.

By giving young carers the chance to experience something new and uplifting, we not only celebrate their hard work but also open doors to opportunities and perspectives they might not otherwise encounter due to their caregiving roles or financial challenges.

Supporting Young Carers in Education

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

Supporting Young Carers in Education

At Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales, we are incredibly proud of the work our dedicated Education Engagement Team is doing to support young carers across Carmarthenshire. Our two members of staff, Rhys and Clare, offer a two-pronged approach by embedding much-needed support into schools, colleges, and universities, ensuring that young carers receive the help they need to thrive in education.

Equipping Education Professionals

One of the key areas of our work is providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training to all education practitioners. Our training focuses on the unique challenges young carers face in balancing their caring responsibilities with their education. Using the latest Welsh statistics, we highlight how these responsibilities can affect attendance, academic performance, and overall wellbeing. By raising awareness, we help staff understand the needs of young carers, enabling them to provide appropriate support and create a more inclusive learning environment.

Empowering Young Carers

In addition to working with staff, Rhys and Clare along with other team members, directly engage with students and pupils through assemblies, class presentations, and school clubs. Our aim is to help young people self-identify as carers and connect them with the support they need. Many young carers do not recognise their role or the impact it has on their daily lives. By offering information and guidance in a safe, supportive space, we empower these students to seek help early. Once identified, they are connected with a dedicated keyworker who provides personalised, ongoing support tailored to their individual circumstances.

Setting an Example for Other Regions

Our service is making a significant difference in the lives of young carers in Carmarthenshire. By embedding this essential support within educational establishments, we are creating a model that other regions could benefit from. Early identification and targeted assistance are key to ensuring that young carers can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales is proud to be at the forefront of this effort, working closely with schools and colleges to ensure that no young carer is left behind.

We believe that this integrated approach not only improves outcomes for young carers but also serves as an exemplary model that other areas across Wales—and beyond—can follow.

For more information about our work or to discuss how we can support your educational institution, please get in touch with our team today. Together, we can make a real difference for young carers.

Our Impact

During the 2023/2024 academic year, Rhys and Clare engaged with 3,000 young people, offering them vital support, resources, and opportunities. Notably, after an engagement session 10% identified as young carers, reflecting our commitment to reaching and supporting this often underrepresented group.

By addressing their specific needs and challenges, we will empower young carers to manage their responsibilities while also focusing on their personal development, education, and well-being. Our engagement with these young people highlights the importance of inclusive programmes that cater to diverse backgrounds and experiences.

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.

Young Carers Update – Dec 2023

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Michael Ford

Recent months have been buzzing with activity at the Carmarthenshire Crossroads Young Carers Project! Many young carers successfully secured Amser grants, treating themselves to cinema vouchers or short breaks. Witnessing the positive impact on their lives has been truly heartening. Monthly meet-ups with carers from across the county have created a supportive community. We’ve also conducted awareness-raising sessions in schools, helping young individuals self-identify as carers and access the support they need. As the festive season approached, we secured micro grants, ensuring all young carers could enjoy Christmas activities tailored to their preferences—soft play for the youngest, bowling for teenagers, and a delightful Christmas meal for young adult carers in Swansea. It’s been wonderful to see them relax, enjoy, and form new friendships. We have some exciting things booked in for next year for our young and young adult carers and look forward to updating you all in the next E-Bulletin.