AYC offer support to Young Carers aged between 5-18yrs including respite, fun & confidence building.
Carers Federation. Action for Young Carers is dedicated to supporting Young Carers of all ages who provide a variety of care to the person they are caring for which could be a parent, sibling other family member or friend.
The caring role could be one or more of the following:
Personal care (Washing hair, showering, dressing, changing clothes)
Emotional care (emotional support ensuring the cared for is ok)
Practical care (managing bills, shopping, ensuring medication is sorted out etc)
The people they look after may have a physical disability, learning disability. mental health or long term/terminal condition. Whether you're a young person age 5 looking after a family member or someone who provides a daily lifeline for a friend or neighbor, we'll provide practical and emotional help that can make a real difference to your life.
Why the community needs usYoung Carers aged from 5-18yrs will benefit from AYC, we offer one-to-one support to Young Carers as well as fund raising to be able to provide respite for Young Carers. AYC always focus on safeguarding as number one priority and will work with the whole family alongside schools and other professional services to ensure Young Carers are being allowed to have fun, enjoy & achieve, which in turn reduces isolation and low self esteem. AYC also offer training to Young Carers around personal safety.
We also support Young Adult Carers aged 16-29 who are identified as NEET (not in Education, Employment or Training). The support provided is as follows:
- One to one support from a dedicated worker
- Focus on confidence building and goal setting
- CV writing
- support around interview skills and job searches
- Support around college and university placements and enrolments
- Support with sign posting to other services, eg benefits
Our impact on the communityThrough the work that AYC staff offer, the aim is for Young Carers to build up friendships therefore feel positive and confident about themselves both in group settings and in the community.
We offer activities to Young Carers that may never have had the opportunity to do so in the past due the high demands of their caring role or have never been aware of Young Carer services.
All Young Carers known to the AYC service are offered a Young Carer photo ID card which they are able to use when attending appointments with the cared for or in schools when they want time out. the ID card also offers discounts at certain venues such as cinemas, bowling, ice skating and lazor quest alongside some stores and supermarkets.
AYC Support Workers offer support to the whole family, which includes the following:- Advocating on behalf of families
- Signposting to other services to ensure the cared for needs are assessed and supported
- Offer statutory assessments to reduce the caring role (refer into adult social care for support packages)
- invite to family activities
- liaise with schools should there be any issues
- Signpost re benefit checks for families & Young Carers
Covid-19
During Covid-19 we have continued to support Young Carers and their families by providing one to one support via telephone, email and zoom. The Team have delivered activity packs, food hampers and hot meals on a regular basis. the AYC service has continued to offer Young Carers groups and activities via Zoom alongside family Zoom Cafes. The service setup a hardship fund at the beginning of the pandemic to support those families who are in financial hardship, all donations into the service go towards supporting families to receive support around shopping, clothes, hot meals, toiletries, activities and another issues that arise.
Feedback from a Young Carers and their families
"Want to thank all at AYC for all there help and support for myself and my family"
"Thank you again for chat and support you showed me yesterday and time you took to listen which made all the difference".
We are looking for volunteers who have experience in delivering art based workshops. You will have the opportunity to work with young carers. You will be expected to under go a DBS check and attend any appropriate training.
