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A lot of young adults I meet wouldn’t use the word carer to identify themselves but we don’t yet seem to have a word or phrase that accurately paints the picture of what you all do. A quick reminder… You support a family member or friend. Without your support their health or wellbeing would be affected.
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Am I a Young Adult Carer?
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Spring 2015
Wh e ne n th ed e me y
ure
Inside this issue:
Stressbusting tips
Social
Where to go next?
Support page
Group
Dates for the diary
Care
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Stressbusting Visit the Kingston College w ebsite an d sign up fo r on e of their ope n events: www.kin gstoncollege.a c.uk/even ts
This time of year can be so stressful; it’s the lead up to exams, coursework & general assessment overload. On top of that you might be trying to make a decision about what to do next. The pressure to make the ‘right’ decision can be huge. The next few pages have some tips and advice for ways to de-stress, make the next few months bearable and places you might be interested in going next.
Visit Future Hub, the one stop service for young people in Richmond and Kingston and Richmond’s looking to progress their prospects through education, traineeships, apprenticeships and jobs; www.afc-futurehub.org.uk Consider gaining extra skills over the summer break by doing some voluntary work; www.do-it.org lists hundreds of opportunities that could give your CV a boost. Visit w ww.uc as.co option m s afte r takin for info on well a g GC s deta SEs a ils ab for un s out ap i and plying going into c learin g.
If you’re thinking of becoming an apprentice take a look at www.apprenticeships.gov.uk or search for “apprenticeships” on the Kingston Council website. You might already have an employer in mind — research their website to see if they have an apprenticeship scheme and what you need to do to apply.
Top Stressbusting Tips
020 3031 2757
Spring 2015
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Sleep. Your brain is doing a lot of work right now and needs to be well rested to get the best out of it every day. Getting enough sleep (at least 8 hours) is a good starting point to reducing stress. Eat well. This should be on the agenda all year but it’s especially important when you’re studying for exams or getting coursework done. Sugar highs and lows get in the way of the concentration you need so try to opt for water to keep hydrated and fruit, veg and nuts for snacks. Make a study schedule. Having the dates & times of exams and when your coursework is due in a calendar can help you prioritise and manage your time. Crossing each one off can be pretty satisfying too! Exercise. Those of you who know me will know that I struggle with exercise too… BUT I do admit that I know I feel better when I’ve done a little activity. So even if it’s just a 5 minute walk around the block, make time to get up and do something active. Take time out. Life’s about balance, right? You need and deserve time away from studying and thinking about serious life stuff. Meet your friends, watch a film, go shopping—whatever you do to relax, build time for it into your schedule.
A helping hand… Check out the following for help when motivation is low: Andrew Johnson apps for iPhone or Android. Most you have to pay for but all the reviews I’ve seen suggest it’s worth it. Whether you just want to relax or need help getting and staying asleep, give Andrew’s soft Scottish voice a try. Matter website (www.matter.carers.org) - free to register, a website specifically for young adult carers. A great place to give and receive support from others who might be in a similar situation.
Opportunities
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Glossy magazines, Instagram pics, women in music videos, FB likes, TV adverts. What do girls learn as they grow up about what it means to be female? Kingston Young Adult Carers is running a female only group starting in April aimed at questioning some long standing messages about what a girl “should” be. The group will take the issue seriously but we’ll have fun while doing it!
Dates 2nd April Film Night 7th, 9th, 14th April Sessions 1, 2 & 3 18th April Visit to Design Museum and lunch 21st April Session 4
If you’d like to take part please let Emma know asap as spaces are limited to ten.
020 3031 2757
Spring 2015
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Social School/College/Uni Peeps!
I’m busy planning trips and activities to take place during half term and the summer break. I’ve lots of ideas but want to hear about what YOU want to do so I get my planning right! Text, email or tweet me with your ideas.
Are you a parent? I’m interested in doing more to support young adult carers who are also parents. Would you like to meet others in a similar situation for a chance to socialise? On Monday 20th April from 11.00am I’ll be at the free Rhyme Time session at the Rose Theatre; come say hello, let me buy you a drink and we’ll take it from there.
Parent? Young Carer?
Adult? Want support?
Our book club meets once a month in Kingston. It’s really informal and while we do talk about a book, it’s also a chance to meet and catch up. Future dates 9th April, 11.00am to 12.15pm 4th May, 6.00pm to 7.15pm 1st June, 6.00pm to 7.15pm
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Kingston Carers’ Network
n o i t a n i t s De ? n w o n Unk
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Are you currently over 18, not studying and out of work? Are you finding it difficult to know what to do next and want some specific support around this? Please get in touch if this sounds like you as this is part of what the Young Adult Carers’ Project is set up to do. On this page you’ll find two case studies of young adult carers who have already benefitted from the Project’s support. B is 20 years old and facing pressure to find a job. B finished studying and wasn’t sure what to do next; “mainstream” work wasn’t appealing but a more creative role seemed even harder to find. B’s caring role involves supporting someone with a mental health condition; what B has to do depends on how the mental health of the person she cares for is from day to day, week to week and month to month. I found out about the On Track program being run by Camden Roundhouse. The 6 week course was being offered to people not in education, employment or training (NEET) who had a strong interest in music creation, production & engineering. B and I completed the application form together which led to an interview. A few days later B found out it was a successful application. B is now in the 3rd week of the course which runs 3 days a week. B is learning about song writing, playing drums and sound engineering. B is also getting to know people with similar interests and growing in confidence. We’re not sure where this experience will take B yet but with support from the YAC Project and the Roundhouse team B hopes to find an apprenticeship within a creative industry and to eventually save enough money to be able to rent a flat.
F is also 20 years old and was looking to find an apprenticeship when we first met. I told F about the Barclays Life Skills program that was just about to start in Kingston. Life Skills aims to provide young people with the skills they need to enter the world of work. F took part in the 5 week course and completed 100 hours of work placement. F’s employer was so impressed with how keen F was to learn that it lead to his offering F a full time role with an apprenticeship to start in September.
020 3031 2757
Spring 2015
Support
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This page details organisations and groups that provide support for a variety of different needs. Kingston Carers’ Network Support Group for carers of children & young people with ADHD (run by Kingston Carers’ Network) - King’s Oak Primary School, New Malden, Fridays 10am—12 noon. Contact KCN on 0203 031 2757 for more details. Express CIC—a not for profit organisation supporting young people with autism as well as their carers, families and wider community. Find out more at www.expresscic.org.uk Kingston Young Carers’ Project—support for children from age 5 who undertake a caring role within their family. Call 020 3031 2754 or email youngcarers1@kingstoncarers.org.uk SIBS—UK charity supporting child and adult siblings of people who’ve grown up with a brother or sister with any disability, long term chronic illness or life limiting condition. Go to www.sibs.org.uk for more information. Matter—Social networking site for young adult carers. A place to receive support, share stories, ask questions and get advice: www.matter.carers.org Young Minds, Mind & Rethink—organisations that promote awareness of mental health as well as providing advice and information: www.youngminds.org.uk, www.mind.org.uk and www.rethink.org @Kingston_YAC—Twitter profile for the Young Adult Carers Project. I tweet about relevant events and opportunities and retweet about anything I think may be relevant to young adult carers in Kingston. Follow to keep updated. If you’re a young adult carer and want to register with Kingston Carers’ Network there are a few options— Contact Emma Bell, YAC Support Worker, directly on 07704 795 923 or yac@kingstoncarers.org.uk (working days Monday & Tuesday) Contact our main office on 020 3031 2757 Monday—Friday 9am to 5pm Visit our website www.kingstoncarers.org.uk and go to the “How can we support you page” of the Young Adult Carers section. Here you’ll find a self referral form.
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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
Dates for the Diary at a Glance Being Who & What You Want group: 2nd, 7th, 9th, 14th, 18th and 21st April 2015 Book Club Thursday 9th April 11.00am to 12.15pm Monday 4th May, 6.00pm to 7.15pm Monday 1st June, 6.00pm to 7.15pm Young adult carers who are also parents meet up: Monday 20th April from 11am Keep Tuesday 26th May free. I’m planning a trip. Details to be confirmed.
Kingston Carers’ Network, Noble Centre, 109a Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4BD, 020 3031 2757 Registered Charity No. 1151456 Company No. 8376060