Young Carers Page 1

Our Young Carers Project provides a range of services to children and young people who care for a sick or disabled relative at home, in Southwark.

Due to their responsibilities, young cares face a number of difficulties that other children their age do not experience. The project aims to redress the negative impact that caring can have on a child's quality of life. We provide information & support, advocay, befriending, outreach work and regular social opportunities for young carers.

3 staff members work on the project - a full time co-ordinator, a full time project worker and a part time outreach worker (25 hours a week).

Our project  for young carers living on the Aylesbury Estate

We could not give young carers the support they need without the help of our dedicated team of volunteers.

The main opportunity for volunteers wanting to work with us is befriending a young carer. A befriender is a good listener who acts as a mentor and positive role model to that child. They can help with specific aspects of the child's life e.g. educational issues or improving social skills. A befriender might help their young carer work out what they would like for the future and encourage them to achieve their aims and aspirations.

We also need volunteers to help out on group activities. Volunteers get involved with evening outings, days and weekends away. We work with both small and large groups of children. Activities can include ice-skating, drama workshops, go-karting, horse riding, sculpting and windsurfing! There is also the opportunity for volunteers to drive the minibus on trips (following the appropriate training)

If you are interested in working with young people aged between 8 -18 years and can bring energy and enthusiasm to our team, then we would love to hear from you. We offer training and supervision to all volunteers who join us. All potential volunteers need to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure (arranged by us). We also follow up references. You must be able to commit for at least 1 year and be reguarly available (befriending visits must happen at least once a month). Contact the Young Carers Project on 020 8693 5090 or e-mail us .

Visit The Children Society Young Carers Initiative