Wolverhampton
Young CarersCoronavirus (Covid-19) Update
Our services are still operating during this time and are accepting referrals for support. We are working differently to ensure we can still meet the needs of young people and their families.
Parent assessments are now being completed over the phone and we are hosting virtual groups. We are still supporting young people recieving 1-1 work either via phone or video call.
Wolverhampton Young Carers provide monthly group sessions for young people aged 8 to 18 who have a significant caring role at home.
Am I a Young Carer?
If your mum, dad, brother, sister or someone at home has a disability or illness which means you help look after them or make sure they are safe, then you could be a young carer. You may help with making drinks or snacks, cleaning and tidying, or by talking to them and keeping them company. You may feel you miss out because you have to look after your parent or another adult. Or your life may be different because your mum or dad takes a lot of time to look after your brother or sister.
How do I get help?
Talk to someone you trust about whether you may be a young carer. This could be a parent, relative or a teacher at school. Show them this website and ask them to talk to us to see if we can help. Always talk to someone if you are worried or upset. There is always someone who can help.
How will you help me?
This is something we will talk to you about to see how you are feeling. We may be able to help you understand more about the condition of you mum, dad, brother or sister. There may be things we can do to help you cope with being a young carer, if you are having problem at school or need someone you can talk to because you feel upset, angry or worried.
We want you to see that you are not the only one and you are not alone.
I think I am a young carer, can I make a referral for myself?
If you are under the age of 18 years then we usually need parental permission for you to be able to join our service. Ask your parent/carer to get in touch. Or talk to someone you trust and ask them to contact us to see how we can help you. This could be another adult, teacher or tutor. Always talk to someone if you have any worries or concerns.
Can you help me get more help for the person I look after?
A Support Worker will arrange to meet with you for a chat about your caring at home and how we can best support you; this may mean that we contact other services that can also help you and the person you look after.
Can you help with problems at School or College?
Yes, we can speak to your teachers or to college if you are having difficulties with homework or keeping up with coursework, are experiencing bullying because you are a young carer, worrying about home when you are at school, or feeling tired and stressed.
There are mechanisms which can be put in place to help you, for example a time-out system for the bad times when you can’t cope, a system to call home when you are worried about the person you look after, or a named teacher you can talk to about your worries.
What we do
We help Young Carers who are involved in the practical and/or emotional care of parents/siblings or other family members.
We provide:
- Advice and support
- Monthly groups for 8-10, 11-13 and 14-18 year olds. Transport is available for the two younger groups
- Extra activities during school holidays
- Outings and residential trips
- 1:1 support from a worker
- Issue based workshops
- Young Carers Champion training for schools
- Training for professionals.
Activities and Outings
A Day trip to Crocky Trail, Chester
An adventure day with lots of bridges and trails to get around. All bridges pass over water, bridges were made of all different things from wood to stone, with ropes, chains and trees to hold onto. At the end of the trail there were rides and slides for the young people to play on.
Horseriding in Dudley
Young people learnt to walk on, trot and stop a horse. They also got involved in mucking out and grooming the horses. Most of the children had never been close to a horse and loved being able to get on one at a stables in Dudley.
Young Carers Festival 2019
Young people spent a weekend camping in Southampton meeting up with young carers projects from around the UK. They took part in activities like canoeing and wall climbing. Discos and competitions were held throughout the weekend and the young people were able to take a break in a safe and enjoyable environment.
What’s on
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At the end of the day
A poem about being a young carer
A girl walks home with mates by her side
A boy works home with chores on his mind
The girls grades are high, she seems perfect
The boys grades are low, the stress takes effect.
Her worries consists of celebs and TV
His are of appointments and pills endlessly.
She gets home and lazes around,
Eats junk food and plays music loud.
He gets home and prepares food,
Gives his nan pills and stays in a positive mood.
Because at the end of the day, if he didn’t, who would.
If you are a young carer and need support Wolverhampton Young Carers can help
Get in touch
Call or email us to get in touch and find out how we could help you
Contact details:
Telephone 01902 877550
Email wolverhamptonyoungcarers@spurgeons.org
Post Wolverhampton Young Carers Spurgeons
The Workspace
All Saints Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 1EL
Make a referral:
Find out more:
You can read more about our service by downloading our leaflet below.
Meet the Team
Angie Jones
Children’s Services Lead
Angie is the Children Services Lead who manages both Wolverhampton and Dudley Young Carers. She likes to come along to groups and activities to meet as many young people as she can. When she is not at work she enjoys playing tennis, reading and watching Marvel films.
Cassie Harvey
Support Worker
Eve Ravenscroft
Admin
Eve enjoys camping, spending time with her family. She has worked with Wolverhampton Young Carers for many years as a project worker and enjoys the time she spends with them. She is nick-named “The Gentle Giant" by some of the group. Working in the office is quite different to my previous role, but still get to keep in touch with the young people and families
Dish Kaur
Senior Support Worker
Dish has been working for Spurgeons Young Carers for over 12 years. She absolutely loves her job just as much as she loves the 100 pair of shoes she owns. Dish enjoys going to the gym, and have climbed two mountains. She says: ''I am sometimes confused for a child because I am only 5’1.''
More support and advice
Childline
0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Childline helps anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Whether it’s something big or small, their trained counsellors are there to support you.
Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.
SIBS support siblings of all ages who are growing up with or who have grown up with a brother or sister with any disability, long term chronic illness, or life limiting condition.
Samaritans
116 123
www.samaritans.org
A safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you.
Would you like to donate to Spurgeons?
Spurgeons runs a number of support services and interventions to help improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families and give them a more hope-filled future.
Would you like to donate to Spurgeons?
Spurgeons runs a number of support services and interventions to help improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families and give them a more hope-filled future.
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Spurgeons, 74 Wellingborough Road, Rushden, Northants, NN10 9TY, United Kingdom.