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carers
Multi-Agency Event a huge success
Fife’s Young Carers Strategy Group hosted
a ‘Multi– agency awareness session’ for professionals who work with children and young
people. The session took place at the
Auchterderran Centre and was aimed at
improving the understanding of the issues
young carers face and the ways all professionals can make a positive impact on their
lives.
Issue 16
Inside this issue:
The Focus Group delivering
their ‘Quiz Show’
Show’ delivered by members of Fife Young
Carers Focus Group. The group had scripted
the quiz to highlight the kind of support
young carers find helpful.
The group delivered information on how to
identify a young carer, the range of support
that makes a difference to them and how
Fife is recording and sharing information
about young carers.
All attendees agreed that the session improved their knowledge about young carers,
including identifying hidden young carers
and what support they could provide to
young carers they come in contact with.
The highlight of the session (according to
the professionals who attended) was a ‘Quiz
YC Festival
2
It’s UR Shout
2
Blackpool
3
Interview with a
Champion
4
Schools Work
update
4
Natural Connections
5
Young Carers &
EMA
5
Support Group
News
6&7
Backpage News
Local Area awareness events
Professionals from all services who have contact/work
with children and young people are invited to attend
the Young Carers’ Strategy Group’s Twilight Awareness
sessions.
Glenrothes Area:
The sessions as above will look at how all professionals
can support young carers.
6th February at Beath High School
To make it easier for people to access the session the
group are holding sessions in each of the seven local
areas. All sessions are from 4— 5.30pm.
29th April at Woodmill High School
Levenmouth Area:
30th April at Inverkeithing Primary School
5th February at Glenwood High School
Cowdenbeath Area:
Dunfermline Area:
South West Fife Area:
North East Fife Area;
For more information or to book a place contact
Margaret Gourlay on 08451 55 55 55 Ext 441977
or at
11th November at Bell Baxter High School
[email protected]
5th November at Buckhaven High School
Kirkcaldy Area:
4th February at Balwearie High School
8
Young Carers’ Festival
The Scottish Young Carers’ Festival is
an important highlight in the year, and
this years’ festival lived up to it’s billing.
As usual young carers from Fife were
the festival trendsetters, this year
sporting stripy onesies, which not only
kept them cosy but made them much
easier for FYC workers to spot them in
a crowd!!
The Scottish Government funded the
event for 2 nights this year again and
the weekend was packed with brilliant
activities to keep young carers busy.
On the Friday there was the opportunity to get up close to a variety of
creatures such as spiders and snakes
courtesy of ‘Cool Creatures’, the
chance to decorate each other in the
tribal makeup workshop as well as
dance the night away at the disco.
Times Red who performed at this
year’s Festival
Saturday was filled with activities
such as the giant inflatables, singing
and song writing workshops, cup cake
decorating and Blood and Gore Make up
workshop.
The highlight of Saturday was the visit
by Times Red who previously had appeared on the X Factor. There was lots
of screaming as the band performed!!!
Blood and Gore Workshop
Sunday was the more serious day with
young carers getting the chance to talk
to invited guests about the support
they need. It was great to see Cllr
Judy Hamilton from Fife there taking
part in the discussions.
It’s UR Shout Residential
The Focus Group
“Which foot
did you say
we were
starting
on?...”
recently took part in
Personal Development
Training which was
funded by the National
Carers Organisation
Training Grant and
delivered by Youth 1st.
Planning session
They spent a full day
building confidence,
looking at planning
events and what’s involved in running youth
groups.
Feeding back findings
Then over the course of a weekend away they looked at
representing others, achieving their goals and action plan-
They also took part in a variety of team building activities
which really brought them together as a group (and were a
lot of fun!)
They are now currently surveying the support groups to
find out what sort of
respite breaks young
carers would like to
take part in with a view
to the Focus Group
applying for funds to
allow a group of young
carers to get a break.
ning.
Page 2
FYC
Blackpool Residential
This year there were no delays on the train, everything ran to time with the young carers enjoying
snack and chat in a very different environment.
One of the priorities when they arrived in Blackpool
was to ensure the young carers drank plenty of water, kept in the shade as much as possible and applied
sun cream — it was hot hot hot!!!
They arrived on the Monday and stayed at the Lucina Hotel where they are always met with a warm
welcome. The young carers dumped their bags, then
it was straight to the Pleasure Beach. There was
something for everyone there, with everyone having
to be patient waiting in the lines, — Pepsi Max, Alice
in Wonderland, Derby Racer, Water Log Ride, Pepsi
Max to name but a few.
Thankfully the beach was across the road, and after
all the energy used on the rides, chips, burgers and
drinks were bought and everyone headed over to
relax. Sock, shoes and trousers rolled up feet were
cooled in sea puddles, castles built and freedom just
to be.
On Tuesday it was off to Blackpool Tower with almost everyone going up to the Tower Eye and walking
on the famous Glass Floor – scary! Those who were
very brave took to the stairs and went to the top
that was outside – even scarier! Whilst in the Tower
they also visited The Dungeons, 4D Cinema Experience, Jungle Jim’s and Madame Tussauds!
That night in the Tower Ballroom there was a Family
Entertainment Night where the young carers took
part in games and competitions that finished at
9.30pm meaning they had spent almost 12 hours
there!
On Wednesday, it was time to spend money. Young
carers bought gifts, Blackpool Rock with staff encouraging them to buy something for themselves.
There was just time to visit the Sealife Centre- by
then some young carers were asking ‘can we not just
stay another night’ and ‘I would like to live here’.
Young Carers comments about the break:
What did you like best about your holiday?
‘ Having fun’, ‘I liked the water ride the best’. ‘ Everything ,it was FAB’, ‘Going to the Tower’, ‘ ‘The
Pleasure Beach’.
Thanks to Carers Information Strategy Funding who
support this respite break for young carers.
Page 3
FYC
Interview with a …….. Young Carers Champion
The Young Carers Strategy Group plan to have a ‘Young carers
Champion’ in key services across Fife to try to ensure young carers
get the support they need.
that appropriate support is put in place
for young carers . This person will also
be responsible for ensuring that any
school initiatives and documentation
considers young carers if appropriate.”
Q. “Why did you decide to become a
young carers’ champion in school?”
Mrs Doran, Young Carers
Champion at Woodmill High
A. “To help support a group of people
who otherwise may go unnoticed, and
to try and support new young carers.”
Q. “What services/support can you
offer young carers in school?”
Q. “What is your name?”
A. “Mrs Doran”

Q. “ Where do you work?”
A. “I’m a teacher at Woodmill High
School in Dunfermline”
Q. “What is a Young Carers’ Champion?”
A. ”A named person within the school
who will promote what a young carer is
with pupils and staff, and try to ensure
“Someone to talk to

someone who will just listen if
that is what the young carer wants

someone who will ensure that all
subject teachers are aware that there
may be issues at times which are beyond the young person's control but
which have to be dealt with

someone who can put a young
carer in touch with other young carers
within school

someone who can refer a pupil
to Fife Young Carers

we have tried a couple of drop
ins but they were not well attended at
all.

a notice board describing what
a young carer is and where support is
available (this has been ordered, look
out for it—coming soon!)”
Q. “How can young carers at Woodmill
get in touch with you?”
A.
“I live in the guidance suite!!!
There are also self referral
slips by the door in Guidance
which they can leave a message
for me if I am teaching (in G3).”
FYC Schools Worker News
It’s been a busy few months for Dawn Murray, FYC’s
School’s Worker, She’s been visiting loads of schools all
over Fife and working hard to establish support in
schools for young carers.
She’s found many pupils didn’t know what a young carer
was, and had no idea of how some pupils’ lives could be so
different from their own. They were very interested in
the issues of young carers and they responded with empathy and came to understand how they could be a
better friend and classmate.
Dawn has now established a ‘Young Carers Champion’ in
10 of our 19 high schools in Fife. These members of
staff have chosen to become involved in helping young
carers in school. They understand the issues they face
and want to help. Over the next few months the
Page 4
champions will be putting in place a variety of support
for young carers.
Some schools already have a young carers notice board
which shows what support is available and who the
Champion in that school is. A profile page can be filled
in by young carers at school to explain to teachers
how caring affects them - giving teachers a better
understanding of the pressures they have.
Other support that may be offered are drop- in sessions, homework support clubs and in some schools,
buddying and adult mentoring for pupils through exam
times. See our back page for details of the Champions
and contact Dawn on 01592 223893 if you’d like more
information.
FYC
Natural Connections
The end of the summer holidays saw the start of another bi-annual opportunity for 24 young carers to
participate in the Natural Connections initiative. The
programme consists of six different outdoor experiences, to help young people find out about themselves,
other people and the natural world, and leads to the
Natural Connections award.
raft building, canoeing, rock wall climbing and the
study of the local woodlands.
We have also just completed our overnight journey
which included a long walk followed by a canoe trip
to an island to camp! Very exciting but very wet on
the Sunday! In October we have a further week at
Lochore Meadows to complete the Natural Connections programme, followed by a chance in November
for young carers to show off what they have
achieved and to receive their Natural Connections
Award.
Getting Close to Nature!
Natural Connections is delivered for us by Outdoor
Education staff at Lochore Meadows Country Park and
we are delighted that the whole programme is again
sponsored by The Association of Fife Rotary Clubs.
This year we have split the programme into 3 sections
with the first having been undertaken in the last week
of the school holidays. That week included team building and problem solving exercises which help towards
achieving the 'Working Together' element as well as
Camping out on the Island!
Young Carers & Educational Maintenance Allowance
Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) can be
claimed by 16 year olds once they have reached their
school leaving age. To qualify for EMA a young person’s
household taxable income has to be between £0 and
£20,351 (if one dependant child living there) and
£22,403 if 2 or more dependant children live in the
household.
If a young person qualifies then they get an award of
£30 per week. Payments are made for full weeks attendance at school and paid fortnightly.
Many young carers miss school due to their caring responsibilities and are being further penalised by having
their EMA disallowed.
to make full payment even though a pupil has been
absent from school.
If a young carer has missed school due to their caring role they should either show their Young Carers
Authorisation Card (if they have one) or speak to
their Guidance Team to let them know that their
absence has been due to caring. Pupils have two
weeks from when their payment has been disallowed
to rectify any problems.
If you are having problems which your EMA talk to
your Guidance Teacher, Support Worker or contact
Nina Collins, Development Worker on 01592 223894.
Payments of EMA are at the Local Authority’s discretion which means in some circumstances they can decide
Page 5
FYC
What’s been happening at Support Groups?
In the Cupar & N E Fife area the July group night landed
on the same evening as the Olympic Torch Ceremony in
Dundee, so off they went over to Dundee to see Emile
Sande in concert for free. They were also entertained by
Twist & Pulse from Britain’s Got Talent and a selection of
others. There were various stalls all over the Park giving
out a selection of freebies including Limited edition bottles
of Coca Cola, Bank of Scotland Ribbons for waving and a
Coca Cola Drum. They even managed to get their photo
taken with the Olympic Torch!!
The Cupar & N E Fife groups have also had a visit from
All the groups have been busy learning First Aid which
covered the basics, including: Checking for Response,
How to get help, Open Airway, Check Breathing, Check
Circulation (visual search of body looking for major
blood loss), Head to toe examination, Recovery Position,
CPR, Choking, Epilepsy, Diabetes, Asthma, Major Bleeding & Burns. This has proved to be a very busy 2 hour
session with each of the groups, but has been very useful and informative for the young carers attending.
These sessions were funded by a National Carers Organisation Training Grant and delivered by Joe Horsburgh from Safety Training Courses.
DAPL (Drug and Alcohol Project Ltd). They delivered an
introduction to Art Therapy as well as alcohol and drug
information sessions. It provided Young Carers with some
additional information about Drugs & Alcohol and the ser-
Learning how to put someone in the recovery
position
vice that DAPL can provide. It’s great to know that DAPL
are available to work alongside us to support our Young
Carers if they need it.
Young Carers practicing the techniques they have
been shown.
Page 6
What’s been happening at Support Groups? (cont’d)
Iain Anderson from the Fife Community Food Project and
Yvonne Wynia from the Improving Health Team visited
Cupar Intermediate Group to carry out some Cooking
Skills Sessions . Together they discussed lots of different, easy and healthy recipes that our Young Carers could
make at home, with very little effort and also by using up
lots of leftovers from around the house and therefore
not having to go out and spend much money. As part of
these sessions and in addition to learning how to make
and taste lots of different things, Iain gave all of our
Young Carers a copy of the recipe book to take home with
them so that they would be able to put all of their new
skills into practice.
The Special Day out for the other prize winning Young
Carer was tickets to Edinburgh Playhouse to see the musical Hairspray. The stars of which included Waterloo
Road’s Mark Benton, Eastenders Lucy Benjamin and X
Factor’s Marcus Collins. The seats were in the 5th row
too, so they got an amazing view!
Thanks to Youth 1st some of our young carers from
Levenmouth area took part in the Driving for Success
Programme. The programme covers all issues regarding
owning a vehicle from road safety to basic maintenance
and included some hands on experience of driving a car—
in a big car park in Glenrothes!! All the participants said
the course was fun and they learned loads!!
For the 4th year running the Rotary Club of St Andrews
decided to support an award for a Young Carer of the
year. This year they chose to offer two awards, one for
Julie Ann Foster and one Young Carer who would rather
remain anonymous.
Julie Ann’s request for her special day was to do something with horses. Bruce & Sheila Alexander of the
Rotary Club of St Andrews arranged a day at
Barbarafield Riding School where Julie Ann was given the
opportunity to groom the horses and then spend the rest
of the day riding. Julie Ann had an amazing day, they
treated her like an absolute princess and she enjoyed
every second of it.
In addition to her day out, The Rotary Club provided
Julie Ann with £100 to spend which she did whilst on a
shopping spree in Edinburgh. Julie Ann brought along a
friend from the group for some company on the day and
to help her carry her shopping bags! A good day was had
by all!!
Some ‘hands on’ experience on the course — eyes on
the road now!!
Page 7
Back Page News
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