My name is Kerry. I have been at the project since August 200 working as a project worker. This means as well as doing a little bit of everything, the main part of my job is giving one to one and group support to young people at the project.

I run the older activity group each Thursday evening for young people of 14-16. This often means going out to do activities like bowling, the cinema or rock climbing although sometimes we’ll stay in at the project and watch a video or have a pizza. The group goes away on a residential break each year, last year to a lovely cottage in Whitby for the weekend.
I also give individual support to young people at the project. This can be a time to talk about what’s happening for them at the moment, or an opportunity to get out and do something together that they’re interested in.

Ruth

My name is Ruth. I have worked at Sheffield Young Carers Project for over two years; previous to this I was a user of the project being a young carer myself.
My job involves me working with a variety of young people on a one to one basis. Some of these young carers are unable to attend groups and find the support of the 1-2-1 work really important.
The other main role I have is in running the younger activity group (8 to 12), which meets on a Tuesday night after school. We collect the young people in a mini bus and do a host of different activities, including art-based work, drama work and things like swimming and other sporty stuff. The group is divided in two, with 11 young people n each group, so they each meet fortnightly. We also try to get away on residential. This year we are off to Wales for Easter.
On the whole a lot of my time is dedicated to individual carers in supporting, encouraging and empowering them in their caring roles.

Denise

My name is Denise and I am the project administrator. This is a posh name for someone whose job involves different parts of the project. I answer the telephone, keep records, for example, about the young people who are referred to us, and update financial records.
I prepare information, letters, help the workers by making sure they have the things they need to do their jobs with young carers.
I was part-time but now work full time. As a worker that does not work directly with young carers, being full time has given me the chance to meet the young people who come to groups and to get to know the people I help to support

Ginny

My name is Ginny and I am the External Development manager. My role is really divided into two parts. Firstly I jointly manage the project with Tanya, making sure that everything is going ok with everyone. Secondly I try and raise other people’s awareness about young carers in Sheffield. This involves going to meetings with workers from health, education, social services and other charities. When I go to these meetings I talk generally about some of the difficulties young carers may experience, such as missing a lot of school, I do not talk about individual young people. My aim is for all services in Sheffield to know about young carers and offer the help they need.
Sometimes I get the chance to help run one of the groups or go on a residential which I really enjoy.

Liz

I am the advocacy support worker at the project. My name is Liz Church. I give support to young people usually, who are aged between 13 and 19 years old. These young people maybe need support in a number of different ways. Some young people find attending school difficult, so there maybe ways we can help. Some are very worried about the situation at home, and the person they are caring for who is ill. They may be doing a lot of listening to other people or doing practical things like washing up, hovering etc. I can help by listening to their problems. Perhaps finding ways of getting help with the practical tasks, to take some of the burden away from them. Which may mean they feel happier have more time for them and own their interests. Sometimes young people want to be able to speak up for themselves and say what they want rather than everyone else telling them what to do. I can support you to find out what it is you want to say, and help you get your voice heard.

I also support the Carers Club, which is a group of 16 + who meet monthly they organise their own social events. They have fun together, sometimes planning a meal out or going to the theatre. They plan an annual residential or day trips out, last year we went to London. We spent some of the time flying high on the London Eye.

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