November 2021 Newsletter - Young Carers

In this update

REMINDER: Annual Young Carers Survey
Plymouth Young Carers - Music Opportunity with Bath Philharmonic
Making Carers Count - 18 to 25 Young Adult Carers
Lived Experience
Carers Rights Day
Young Carers Leads Hub for Schools
Share Your Stories With Us
Useful links
Calendar Dates

REMINDER: Annual Young Carers Survey

The annual young carers survey will help us to identify and understand the needs of the young carers in Plymouth. All education settings should complete this survey to give the system a better understanding of the number and characteristics of young carers in Plymouth.

Please complete one survey per education setting.

Complete the Annual Young Carers Survey

The survey will close on 21 October 2021.

Plymouth Young Carers - Music Opportunity with Bath Philharmonic

Making Carers Count - 18 to 25 Young Adult Carers

Caring for Carers are excited to announce our new project aimed at identifying, supporting and engaging young adult carers aged between 18 to 25 years old. We are a part of a nationwide project called 'Making Carers Count'.

As part of this project, we have designed a programme of engagement to help us to hear and promote young adult carers voices. This programme includes a face-to-face forum where carers can express their interests, thoughts and opinions, an activity agenda targeted towards giving them experiences and a monthly support group where information, advice and a bit of respite time away from their caring role is available.

If this project sounds like something you want to be a part of, please don't hesitate to get into contact with one of our new Young Adult Carers Support Coordinators Nicolle Ormston on 07305 043634 & Alex Swabey on 07496 641182. You can also email YACS@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

Lived Experience

A former young carer has some advice for anyone else thinking of participating and/or raising awareness using lived experience:

Make sure you've got someone who is looking out for your best interests and who will support you when it's difficult to go over the story again.
Regular check-ins asking how it's going
If you are happy to do certain things then take the time to just breathe, it can be a whirlwind
Make sure there is after care, even regular counselling. Take time to talk about the effects of opening the wound again

Carers Rights Day (November 25th 2021)

Most of us will provide unpaid care for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill at some point in our lives.

On Thursday 25th November 2021, Carers Rights Day brings together organisations from across the UK to reach out to carers with information, advice and support.

This year's Carers Rights Day campaign will focus on raising awareness of the rights that unpaid carers have. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of caring, affecting carers' access to support and services, and their physical and mental health. Many are caring for the first time, while those who've been caring for a while are facing greater challenges and pressures than ever before. It's never been more important for carers to be informed and know their rights .

To help you know what you are entitled to, you can read the latest Looking after someone guide, which gives carers the full picture of the practical and financial support available to them every year.

The latest guide from Carers UK can be ordered from shopcarersuk.org. An electronic version of the guide can be found on the Carers UK website.

Here is a taster, with three important steps you can take to find out what you are entitled to:

Get a benefits check

Carer's Allowance is known as the main benefit for carers. But not everyone is eligible to claim it, so it's a good idea to arrange a benefits check to see what financial support you may be entitled to. For support and advice in Plymouth contact Advice Plymouth on 01752 201766. You can also use the Turn2us benefits calculator on the Carers UK website: carersuk.org/benefits-calculator

Find out about practical support

You may need practical support to help you care, like short breaks, equipment to help make caring easier or information about local groups that can help. All carers are entitled to a carer's assessment from their local council which could lead to you receiving extra support from social care services to help with caring. The assessment will look at how caring affects your life, including your physical, mental and emotional needs, and whether you are able or willing to carry on caring. If you would like to access a carers assessment please contact Caring for Carers on 01752 201890 email caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk or register as a carer online.

Connect with other carers

Caring can be isolating. When we're looking after someone, it's not always easy to find people who really know what caring is like and are able to give us help and understanding. There are young carer support groups across the UK that can help you meet other carers, as well as access local advice and support. contact Time4U@plymouth.gov.uk for more information.

Are you worried about high energy bills this winter, or keeping warm at home? Then Energy Matters is for you. Whether you've been affected by price rises already, or need information about the support available from your supplier, please come along. We'll be focusing on energy bill price increases, the energy cap and what it means, what to do if your energy company collapses and grants and help you may be able to access. Please contact Plymouth Energy Community for more information.