Young Carers' Stories
Amy's story*
"I was referred to Willow after I told my mentor at school I was a carer for my mum. Me and my mentor filled in a Willow referral form together and sent it to Willow.
Me and my Willow worker worked through my assessment form, so that I could identify my goals. The most important goals for me were:
- to be able to go out with my friends
- to go on holiday as a family
- to be able to talk to my friends about being a young carer
We made a plan to reach the goals and did this a stage at a time. As we went along, we reviewed my progress.
Willow has helped me care for my mum and still have time for friends.
I am now 15. In the future I want to be a chef, but I don't want worries about my mum to get in the way of my career."
Comments from young carers
Willow recently ran the Transitions Group for young carers moving up from primary to high school. The group were able to help each other by talking about their hopes and worries around the transition to high school. They also went on a day trip in the summer holidays to the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield. Cameron and Jamie created a cartoon strip telling the story of the day (see picture on the left). Click on this link to view the cartoon strip: Cameron and Jamie's Cartoon. (PDF)
Comments from the Transitions Group
"It has helped me at school. It is a good idea."
"I have enjoyed these sessions."
"I think that the group was fun and helpful and the food was nice."
"I feel more comfortable than I did before."
"It helped me not worry about high school."
This mosaic was made by 6 young carers, to express how they feel about caring for someone and juggling the different elements of their lives.
The mosaic materials and expertise were provided by local community organisation Seagulls.
Comments from Aidan, young carer aged 10, who was part of the Mosaic Group
"Coming up with the idea for the mosaic with the other young carers was fun. We worked with the Willow workers and people from Seagulls to put our ideas together. It was so cool bringing our parents down to see the unveiling of our work. We had food, our parents got to chat and meet each other and I was able to play on the Wii with the other young carers. I like the idea that when others visit Willow the first thing they see when they go in the door is our work."
A group of four young carers recently published a Willow Newsletter, which was distributed to all schools in Leeds. Matt, pictured left, wrote several articles for the newsletter and has also had his work published in 3 local newspapers.
Comments from Matt, young carer aged 16
"Doing the newsletter has been a great experience for me because I have had to work to a deadline and the finished product has helped me get my place in college."
A group of 7 young carers were supported by Willow Young Carers, with funding from Education Leeds, to produce an interactive CD-ROM to be distributed to all schools in Leeds in 2007. The launch of the CD-ROM at Leeds Town Hall was so successful that the young people were invited to the Barnardo's Annual General Meeting at the Barbican Centre in London to present their work.
If you would like a copy of the CD-ROM for your school or organisation, please contact Willow Young Carers Service.
Comments from Nathan, young carer aged 17, who was part of the CD-ROM group
"Producing the CD-ROM is something we are all proud of. We are helping to raise young carer awareness and also telling them that they're not alone and that someone understands what they're going through. Meeting and sharing stories with other young carers lets you belong to a kind of family who are there to listen, help, advise and support you."
*Real name not used to respect confidentiality
