Our Young Adult Carer Service is here for you.
- Delivering food parcels and hot meals door step visits
- Online 1-1 meetings and assessments
- Safe and well checks
- Information about ‘What if’ plans
- Clarification on shielding and supporting those with underlying health conditions
- Information regarding supermarket initiative shopping times and venues
Hints and Tips for Carers:
- Self-isolate if unwell
- Limit the amount of negative news you consume relating to virus; instead watch positive, educational or fun content
- Revisit hobbies and interests like music or exercise
- Play board games and quizzes to pass the time
Are you aged 16-25?
Do you care for someone with a disability, illness or addiction?
The YMCA Sutton Coldfield Upbeat Project offers free, tailored support services for Young Adult Carers like you.
From support groups and weekly drop-in sessions to individual life coaching, we can support you and your family and help you to achieve your goals.
Knowing I have someone to talk to on a day-to-day basis is really important. If I took my problems home, it would make things worse for my Mum.
Robin, Young Adult Carer
HOW WE CAN HELP
The Upbeat Project can support you in areas such as personal development and self-esteem as well as providing access to flexible respite opportunities to combine education, training or employment with a caring role. We aim to empower you and your family and support you with current and future aspirations. Our support services include:
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
- 1-2-1 support and Life Coaching sessions delivered by a qualified Life Coach
- Full statutory Carer assessment
- Wellbeing assessment
- Online training opportunities
- Flexible family crisis support sessions
- CV writing, employment opportunities and workshops to improve skills
- Food parcel service to those experiencing financial difficulties
GROUP SERVICES
- Weekly drop-in sessions regular and informal drop-in sessions at a local coffee shop where carers can talk about issues and concerns
- Group workshops
- Opportunities for respite events and residential trips where they get the chance to socialise outside of their caring roles, meeting other young adult carers as well as gaining new experiences along the way.
WORKSHOPS
We are currently running a variety of bi-monthly workshops via Zoom, focusing on topics up for discussion and friendly debate. The topics aim to support those who are transitioning into Young Adult Carer services and have been identified by Young Carers as areas they would find useful.
The next workshop will focus on finance, budgeting and entitlements. Young adult carers will be able to ask questions and gain more understanding to personal elements related to their caring roles and the impact on them as individuals now and in the future. It will specifically cover personal financial situations, the importance of budgeting and benefits and welfare entitlements now and in the future.
It will take place on Wednesday 26th May from 5pm-6pm.
The workshops are available for all Young Carers, however, they would particularly benefit Young Adult Carers aged 17+. The following are future dates and topics of workshops.
- Wednesday 26th May, 5pm-6pm: Budgeting and Finance
- Wednesday 28th July, 5pm-6pm: Picnic in the Park
- Thursday 30th September, 5pm-6pm: College and University Awareness
- Tuesday 30th November, 5pm-6pm: Ambitions, Aspirations and Achievements
For more information, contact Alan on 07931277708 or alanburrows@ymcasc.org.uk. You can also email Birmingham Carers Hub at YAC@birminghamcarershub.org.uk.
DROP-IN SERVICES
We offer weekly drop-in services for Young Adult Carers to access support, or simply to meet with our staff and fellow Young Adult Carers. Please note, these services may be affected by COVID-19, so please contact Alan before attending.
Get in touch
For an informal chat or to find out how we can help you, contact Alan: