Livin’ it up Winter 2014
Welcome to the YCP Winter 2014 Newsletter! Brr! It’s cold out there! Curl up on the sofa and have a read of our Winter newsletter jam-packed with news, info, photos and updates! We’ve certainly had a brilliant few months with loads more to come! Best wishes from the YCP Team!
Supported by...
Inside this issue:
Teen Zone
News and Updates
Zany Zone
Recent Activities
Dates for your Diary
Parents’ Page
Contact Us!
Kingston Carers’ Network, Noble Centre, 109a Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4BD, 020 3031 2757 Registered Charity No. 1151456 Company No. 8376060
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO! OCTOBER HALF TERM Butlins: Our sunny day at Butlins was fantastic; Dodgems (not bumper cars!), loads of rides, brilliant fun and a delicious meal to top it off! We’re looking forward to going back soon! If only the bus journey wasn’t so loooong!
Horse Rangers: Thanks to our friends at Horse Rangers in Hampton Court, six young carers had a fantastic day of riding and grooming beautiful horses in the sunshine! Halloween Story and Craft at Kingston Library: We had a wonderful time at Kingston Childrens’ Library listening to a spooky story and then making Halloween’y witches hats and puppets!
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Halloween Party: our Halloween party this year was full of spooky tricks and treats! Everyone looked fantastic in their scary Halloween costumes!
Wendy’s Workshop: Check out our gorgeous pottery which we painted on our trip to Wendy’s Workshop! We always have a lovely time at Wendy’s Workshop and this was no exception! HoneyPot Playbus: Thanks to Emma from Hounslow’s Young Carers’ Project, we went to meet some other young carers, check out their facilities and to use the HoneyPot Playbus. What a treat!
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without our young carers’ Christmas Parties! Our under 12s had a special pantomime written and performed just for them whilst the 12+ young carers had a fab time meeting a very talented magician and eating a tasty roast dinner! Thanks to Myke, Victoria and the team at the YMCA Hawker Centre we had the Pod all to ourselves for a YCP party! We always have a fantastic time at the Pod and the YMCA staff put on plenty of delicious grub for us! We really appreciate their support! Thank you to all who came along with your families and contributed to our Bring a Dish Day. What a fantastic spread! We were even lucky enough to have a surprise visit from Tigger! Four groups of young carers went along to Hampton Court Palace to show off their skills on the ice. Well done to everyone who had a go!
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Carol (our Family Support Project Co-ordinator) has been running a set of workshops recently to remind a group of young carers that they are Very Important People. As well as the workshops, this group of children got to do some fun activities as a reward for all their hard work!
We couldn’t get to the Harmony Exhibition in Twickenham so instead, we brought the exhibition to us! A professional photographer even came along to snap our fantastic creations! At the Bring a Dish day we made a vine video which we will use to say
THANK YOU to those who donate us money. Thanks for your help guys!
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
WELCOME GROUP We always have loads of fun at our Welcome Group. It’s a great way to start off in the YCP, get to know the staff and meet new people in a small group! (If you’re new to the YCP and haven’t been to a Welcome Group we will be writing to you soon!)
Two of our families recently went along to the Horse of the Year Show in Kensington Olympia. They had a brill time looking around the market place and then watched the show from some special seats in a VIP box! We would like to say a HUGE thank you to Carers’ Trust for generously providing us with the tickets.
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GET YOUR VOICE HEARD!
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Our most recent focus group was so much fun. We had a special behind the scenes tour of McDonalds followed by a VERY lively discussion about what a focus group is for as well as ideas of ways to say thank you to funders. Would you like to represent the views of young carers in Kingston and help guide the work we do at the YCP? Get in touch!
Thanks for all your feedback in the summer surveys! We always take your feedback on board and are continually working to improve the Young Carers’ Project!
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
TEENS PAGE FILM REVIEW — HUNGER GAMES (12A)
Katniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.
It’s Time to Relax It’s easy to get stressed out, especially when it doesn’t seem to be sunny or warm anymore! So why not try this relaxing technique? Think of an image that you find particularly calming and soothing, and imagine yourself there, for example, lying on a deserted beach. Imagine the different sights, sounds, smells and sensations. Breathe through your nose and become aware of your breathing. As you breathe out focus on the calm mental image you have created for yourself.
YoungMinds YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. CHECK IT OUT! They provide expert knowledge to professionals, parents and young people through their Parents' Helpline, online resources, training and development, outreach work and publications. www.youngminds.org.uk
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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED!!!
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Dear YCP,
I’ve just got a new girlfriend, and I really like her, but she can be a bit controlling and sometimes mean to me. I don’t really know what to do or how to deal with her. Starting any new relationship can be challenging at times, but it is not ok when someone is trying to control you. The best thing to do is to communicate with the person and let them know how you feel. If you still feel uncomfortable, take some space and decide if this is really a healthy relationship for you.
Have you got a problem that’s been bothering you? Feel like you need some advice? Email or write to us and we will see what we can do to help! Remember, you can write anonymously if you want to!
Recommended Reading for Winter 2014 Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
ZANY ZONE JOKE BOX! Knock Knock Who’s there? Mikey! Mikey who? Mikey doesn’t fit in the keyhole!
It’s riddle time! Q. What comes up and doesn’t come back down? A. Your age! Q. What has to be broken before you can use it? A. An egg!
COLOUR ME IN!
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ZANY ZONE
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Poetry Competition Get your poems into us (by post, email or hand them to staff) by February half term for a chance to win this cuddly bear and for your poem to be included in our next newsletter (anonymously if you would like).
Winter Morning Poem By Oden Nash
Here’s a winter poem to get those creative juices flowing!
Winter is the king of showmen, Turning tree stumps into snow men, And houses into birthday cakes, And spreading sugar over lakes. Smooth and clean and frosty white, The world looks good enough to bite. That’s the season to be young, Catching snowflakes on your tongue. Snow is snowy when it’s snowing I’m sorry it’s slushy when it’s going!
If you’re worried about something, need someone to talk to or need help, always remember that you can call the NSPCC helpline for advice and support: 0808 800 5000
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
NOBLE DROP IN (UNDER 12S)
Do you have any ideas for activities to do at the drop in? Let us know and we will do our best to include them! Thanks to everyone who donated shoeboxes, gifts, etc. for our Samaritan’s Purse UK Christmas Shoebox appeal. We had a great time wrapping and packing 25 boxes at the Noble drop in. They should be winging their way across the globe soon! The Noble drop in is always lots of fun. We have a great time doing arts and crafts, playing games and just chilling out after school! Snacks and drinks are provided so all you need to bring is YOURSELF!
WHEN? EVERY 2ND THURS OF THE MONTH
(TERM
TIME)
WHERE?NOBLE CENTRE WHO? YOUNG CARERS AGED
5-12 YEARS
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BARNFIELD DROP IN (12+ Years) WHEN? EVERY WEDNESDAY (TERM TIME)
WHERE?BARNFIELD YOUTH CENTRE
WHO? YOUNG CARERS AGED
12+
YEARS
Coming up at Barnfield after Christmas‌ a trip to the Pod, Choi Kwang Do, athletics at Kingsmeadow, canvas art session and a visit from a caricaturist.
We would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the Youth Service for their ongoing help and support. We couldn't carry on with Barnfield without you and appreciate all you do. We are so pleased to have Dora with us weekly at Barnfield. Thank you for your help and enthusiasm!
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Kingston Carers’ Network
PARENTS’ PAGE
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
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PARENTS’ PAGE KCN SUPPORT GROUPS! Parents of children with mental health problems Tolworth Childrens’ Centre Last Monday of each month 9:15am-11:15am Parents of children or young people with ADHD Noble Centre, New Malden Second Friday of each month 10:00am-12:00pm
Are you looking after someone? If you are an adult carer, Kingston Carers’ Network can support YOU! The services provided by Kingston Carers’ Network aim to minimise the consequences of caring by offering practical and emotional support and opportunities to take regular breaks from the responsibilities of caring. Carers can also benefit from a range of complementary therapies and beauty treatments.
Learn English at Home (LEAH) is an organisation in Kingston which supports residents from Kingston and Richmond from ethnic minority backgrounds, who have English as a second language. Their aim is to help people to learn the level of English needed to communicate their everyday needs and empower them to improve their levels of confidence and independence. Check out www.leah.org.uk for more info!
WelCare in Kingston offers local families with support in a warm, safe and stimulating environment. the project aims to promote good parenting to enhance parents’ self confidence, skills and enjoyment of their role and to promote the well-being and development of young children. www.welcarekingston.org.uk
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE YCP Do you live with someone who has a mental health issue? Andora is running a project which aims to provide one -to-one support and age-appropriate information to children and young people about mental ill health. If you would like some support around this, or know someone who would benefit, please get in touch by phone or email: 020 3031 2756 youngcarers4@kingstoncarers.org.uk
If you are between the ages of 15-25 and think you’d like to meet Emma for some support or just a chat give her a call or email: Emma Bell 020 3725 3050 yac@kingstoncarers.org.uk
We’d like to say a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Nazim who was recently awarded the Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Award through his role in the Police Cadets. Well done Nazim, keep up the good work! To find out more about the Jack Petchey Foundation visit: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk
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Andora, Diane and Chrissie all had a wonderful time raising money for the Young Carers’ Project at Kingston Rotary’s Winterfest! Thank you to the Rotary for all your hard work and support! We raised a whopping £332.88!
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Contribution Corner Why didn’t the skeleton want to go to the dance? Because he had NO BODY to go with! (Thanks Morgan!)
As always, we’d like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers, we really couldn’t do without all your help and support. For anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with the Young Carers’ Project please don’t hesitate to contact Lyndsey on 020 3375 8226.
Every year Kingston Carers’ Network has an Annual General Meeting where we hear all about what’s been happening in the organisation over the last year. This year at the AGM, Diane gave an update about the YCP and we watched a picture showreel which gave everyone a good idea of all our adventures!
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE YCP Kat (our Schools’ Link Worker) has been busy in some of our local schools. Her Project is all about raising awareness of young carers in schools and helping staff at school to identify children and young people who are helping to look after somebody at home. Then Kat is helping schools make sure they are able to support young carers within the school environment. The Young Carers’ in Schools Project then allows schools to apply for an award of recognition which will show the world how well they are doing at supporting young carers!
If you feel like your school could be doing more to support you, please let us know and we will see if we can help. A first step might be talking to your teachers about what you do at home so they can begin to understand.
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THE YCP ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA! As part of Anti Bullying Week on Twitter, the YCP staff pledged never to be bystanders to bullying or teasing language and behaviour. If we hear it we will call it out and if we can, we will stop it. We promise to stand up for kindness and fairness and never be a bystander. World Mental Health Day is a yearly event on 10th October which aims to raise public awareness of mental health issues. This year the team celebrated by stopping everything to hi 5 at 11am.
On Children in Need night we tweeted to say a huge THANK YOU to CiN for providing us with the funding which allows us to keep Liz. We love Liz and couldn’t be without her!
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for plenty more updates, info and support!
www.facebook.com/Kingston.YCP @YCPKingston
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
CONTACT US! Diane 07818 878 931 youngcarers1@kingstoncarers.org.uk
Chrissie 07565 540 676 youngcarers2@kingstoncarers.org.uk
Liz 07551 647 448 youngcarers3@kingstoncarers.org.uk
Andora 07824 781 705 youngcarers4@kingstoncarers.org.uk
Kat 07756 593 456 schoolslink@kingstoncarers.org.uk