YAC Newsletter - Spring 2014

Newsletter!

Spring 2014

Welcome to the first edition of the Young Adult Carers’ newsletter.

Dining

The project has been up and running for three months now and what a busy three months they’ve been!

I’d love to hear from you if you’re a carer aged 16—25 and live in Kingston, or care for someone who does. The project is here for you!

Climbing

Waking-up!

Inside this issue: 

Project Update

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Book Club

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Have you heard about…?

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Dining Club

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Your YAC Project Needs You!

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Lots more activities!

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Getting To Know You I’ve been going to lots of one to one meetings to start getting to know Young Adult Carers in Kingston. These meetings are a brilliant way for me to start getting to know you, what you like, dislike, hope, fear and want for the future. When arranging a meeting I will always ask where you would feel comfortable meeting; you might feel like a walk in the park, a coffee or to show me where you study or work.

There have also been two YAC get togethers and it looks like we’ll be doing this once a month. The idea is that this is an informal gathering; it’s a chance for me to catch up with you AND it’s also a chance for you to meet other YACs who might be in a similar situation. It can be a bit nerve wracking coming to a group get together for the first time – it’s completely normal and OK to feel a bit nervous.

There’s no pressure to present yourself or do lots of talking or even to stay for the whole time! If you feel like coming, give it a try – we’d love to meet you.

The next get together will be on Monday 16th June at The Hawker Centre Canteen, Kingston, KT2 5BH

Goldman Sachs On 15th April I went with two YACs to visit Goldman Sachs in Central London. Goldman Sachs is a huge investment bank and they put together a day for Young Adult Carers to inspire them and to show that it’s possible to balance a working life with caring responsibilities.

The day included a tour of the trading floor (I’ve never seen people sitting in front of so many computers – definitely not my cup of tea!) as well as workshops on writing a CV and how to deliver presentations. There were also talks from other big companies that demonstrated how they think about and work with carers to support them.

I left with no doubt that young adult carers are viewed as having a variety of transferable skills that are exactly what employers are looking for.

020 3031 2757

Spring 2014

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Matter Matter was created with and for 16-25 year old carers. It works like a social media site, such as Facebook or Twitter, as well as being a trusted source of information and advice.

Matter was created in close consultation with Young Adult Carers from across the UK, specifically recruited to help shape the design and ensure it met their needs for friendship and information. It is purposefully designed to be mobile phone friendly.

Michele Lambert, Head of Digital at Carers Trust says: “We’ve developed Matter as offline support is not always available for young adult carers and it’s easy to become isolated.

Matter offers access to advice and information, letting carers share problems and successes and providing a 24-hour, 7 days a week peer support system.”

YAC Twitter Page Search for @Kingston_YAC to find our page and to follow us for news, information and details of upcoming events. You might even find my #wakeyfaceselfie – that’s right, I took my picture after getting up to promote “Wake Up For Carers”. You might have seen the same picture on the front of this newsletter… Tweet your own picture using the hashtag #wakeyfaceselfie

YAC Facebook Page Search for “Kingston YAC Project” to find our page and like to get news, information and details of upcoming events. Why not start getting to know other YACs in the area?

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Calling all bloggers & media types Here at KCN we’re starting to develop a dedicated page of our website to Young Adult Carers. We need people who enjoy writing and who would be happy to: 

Write a short piece on your story as a carer

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Write blog style pieces on day to day events related to caring

These are fantastic ways to show other Young Adult Carers that they are not alone and to develop your writing skills. If you’re interested, see the contact details at the end of the newsletter for ways to get in touch.

020 3031 2757

Spring 2014

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YAC Dining Club

Book Club On Tuesday 24th June we will have our first book club meeting.

This first meeting will be a chance for us to discuss how often we’ll meet, how we will choose future books, where we will get books from, the types of things you’d like to talk about and whether it’s ok not to finish a book! Whether you’re a book lover OR want to start reading a bit more, this group is for you and it’s also a great way to meet like minded people.

We will soon be starting our very own Young Adult Carer dining club. Many of the people I have met have an interest in cooking and have also represented a diverse range of cultural backgrounds.

The dining club will involve a small group getting together with one person leading the cooking of a dish from their country. We will all cook, learn, try something new and eat our lovely creations! If you’d like to be involved get in touch and let me know!

Indoor Climbing This was suggested as a possibility for a fun way to get some exercise. White Spider is an indoor climbing centre in Surbiton that offer small group sessions.

Climbing can really build your confidence and has loads of health benefits, not least increased muscle tone and strength. Interested? Check out the contact page to see how you can let me know.

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Hands up if you’re an aspiring chef or food lover!

The Kingston Young Adult Carers Project is VERY excited to announce that we have been given the fantastic opportunity to work with Mosimann’s of London during the week of 18—22 August. We need 4 Young Adult Carers to join 8 others from Richmond and Merton.

During the week you will:  Be introduced to Mosimann’s, have a food tasting session and create a 3 course lunch for 12 guests  Work with a Set & Costume designer to create things like menus, chef hats and table decorations  Visit Borough Market in Central London to explore how food can be sourced  Get tips and advice from Mosimann’s top chefs This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you really can’t afford to miss! If you’re interested in taking part please let me know by Friday 4th July (see contact details at the end of the newsletter)

020 3031 2757

Spring 2014

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Are you currently not in Employment, Education or Training?

Here at the Kingston YAC Project we’re always looking at how we can work in partnership with other local voluntary organisations. London South West YMCA are currently running a program called “Get On Track” which sees professional athletes working with young adults currently under the “NEET” umbrella. The programme involves developing skills that can help when applying for training or employment.

The details of the next programme are:

   

Starting on 1 July for 6 weeks 3 days per week Based at Wimbledon YMCA Working with Darren Cheesman (England & GB Hockey Player) and Monique Newton (British & World Power Lifting Champion) Whilst some of the activities are based around sport, not all of them are—so you don’t need to be mad about sport or exercise to take part. As well as developing employability skills the programme also aims to develop personal and social growth of the young adults that take part.

If you’re interested in being a part of this exciting opportunity let me know (see contact details at the end of the newsletter). There will be a recruitment day coming up where you can learn more and ask any questions you may have.

Don’t miss this great opportunity!

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Call or Text—07704 795 923 Email—yac@kingstoncarers.org.uk Follow & Tweet—@Kingston_YAC Like & Post—Kingston YAC Project

Dates for the Diary Monday 16th June from 5.30pm YAC get together at Hawker Centre Canteen, Kingston, KT2 5BH Tuesday 24th June from 5.30pm First book club meeting, Rose Theatre Café, Kingston

Supported by...

Kingston Carers’ Network, 109a Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4BD, 020 3031 2757 Reg. Charity No. 1151456

Kingston Carers’ Network, Noble Centre, 109a Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4BD, 020 3031 2757 Registered Charity No. 1151456 Company No. 8376060