Easter Activity Programme 2018 – Project Review

7 events and 1 residential over 2 weeks

122 young carers participating

1706 hours of tailored respite provided

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Executive SummaryThe Activity Programme

Easter 2018 has provided another opportunity for young carers in Cheshire to experience some unique activities as a result of inspired ideas from the Cheshire Young Carers Team, ideas from young carers themselves and all made possible by our generous donors.This represents another important step in the evolution of Cheshire Young Carers as we move away from delivering regular fortnightly sessions to delivering high quality holiday programmes to provide respite support when its most needed. The fortnightly sessions should continue with new providers who have been appointed by Cheshire East and Cheshire West Councils.

Our Easter programme this year is the most extensive series of activities delivered by the organisation and has been designed around the needs of young carers. It includes a residential experience for some young carers, a selection of day visits to attractions and a very special day for our young adult carers that saw them in Manchester for the day. However, this was much more than a day in the city, it was designed around building confidence to use public transport, building confidence to navigate around a big city like Manchester and decision making skills. Another important part of the day was a visit to a hospital as part of our “In to Work” initiative designed to show young carers the career paths open to them.

At the heart of all the activities was the core objective of young carers having a great time, making friends and having vital time just to be a young person without the pressure of their caring role.

The feedback from both young carers and parents is truly rewarding, clearly the programme of activities has worked.

To all those who contributed to the programme – thank you.

Managing Director

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Donors

With massive thanks to our donors, we were able to arrange this Easter programme, organising many events provided for young people who may not have had these opportunities otherwise. Thank you for supporting us in being able to give fun experiences to the young carers of Cheshire.

Support received from:

The Williams Family Foundation CWaC (Strategic Commissioning)MBNA General FoundationChildren’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT)West Cheshire Athletic ClubMr D W NesbitUrenco LtdNantwich Rotary ClubChester ZooKathy Cowell, OBE DLCheshire Scouts Active CheshireRedshift RadioRichard WilymanHayley Worsfold Knowsley Safari Park

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THE EVENTS

Chester Zoo – 2nd April 2018

Despite the bad weather, 28 young carers joined us on an exciting Easter Monday trip to Chester Zoo. We managed to see a huge variety of different animals even in the rain. The young carers particularly enjoyed visiting the new islands section of the zoo and even spotting the tiger hiding around there! There was a lot of puddle jumping, map reading and rainy play time on the climbing frames but as usual, Chester Zoo proved to be a wonderful time for the whole group and a great way to kick-off the Easter programme for 2018.

Skiing Trip to Llandudno – 4th April 2018

We were very lucky to secure some tickets for a free 1-hour ski lesson at the Llandudno Ski resort. So, we loaded up the bus and made our way to Wales. Whilst on the slopes, we learned how to jump, stand and move with our Ski’s. This was a first-time experience for the majority on the trip but also for one of our staff members too. Despite the weather, the young carers came away understanding how to use their Ski’s and looking forward to another chance to Ski from taller heights.

Welsh Mountain Zoo – 4th April 2018

We found ourselves with some spare time on our trip to Llandudno so we decided to take a surprise detour to the Welsh mountain zoo. The penguins were a highlight coming up to the glass and showing off by flapping their wings and tails for the young carers. We also got to see the Sea Lions playfully hitting the footballs in their swimming pool and barking away. To get some respite from the rain, we went inside the tropical enclosures where we saw two huge

crocodiles and very many tortoises and lizards. The young carers particularly enjoyed seeing the baby rabbits and chicken in the farm animal section. We all enjoyed ice creams and some time on the playground where we all got covered in mud from using the climbing frames. It was great fun even in the downpour.

Flip Out – 6th April 2018

We took to the trampolines with 15 young carers who showed off their front flips, trampoline dives and assault course skills. With good music, lots of disco lights and ‘it’s a knockout’ challenges, the young carers got stuck in with all the Flip Out venue had to offer. After a long time of bouncing, we were invited to the party room where we enjoyed pizza,

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nuggets and plenty of juice. The young carers exchanged numbers to keep in touch with friends they had made as this was a lovely mix of young carers from Cheshire East and West.

Trentham Gardens – 7th April 2018

Our next Easter Adventure took us to the Trentham Monkey Forest. There was an Easter Egg Hunt, an exciting trip to the gift shop and of course, lots of time spent wandering through the forest seeing all of the Monkey’s in a free environment eating, sunbathing and grooming one another. We also got to learn all about where they came from, what they eat and how many live there. We got to spend time with the oldest Monkey in the forest, she is 41! The forest itself was full of

life and picturesque with a peaceful river flowing down the hills and through the middle of the trees.

Manchester Museum & Hospital Visit – 11th April 2018

A group of young adult carers travelled by train and spent the entire day in Manchester. For many, it was their first time to Manchester and they were awestruck by the size of the buildings and the hustle and bustle of the big city life. In the morning, they visited the Science and Industry Museum and learned about Manchester’s contribution to the history of science, technology and industry. Lunch involved a visit to the Almost Famous burger bar where they were amazed as the

size of the burgers as well. The group navigated the city using google maps and buses, giving them the confidence to travel independently. After lunch they caught a bus to Manchester Children’s Hospital, to learn about all the different job roles available within the NHS. It was a great day, full of information and new experiences. There was a competitive edge with everyone trying to win the Fitbit challenge of the day.

Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) Residential – 9th – 13th April 2018

A fantastic fun-filled sports themed week was had by all at The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust. We took a group of Young Carers for an Easter getaway where we had action packed

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days from morning till night. The CAFT team were incredible ensuring all the children were having fun. There were craft activities including t-shirt making, mug decorating and biscuits to decorate as well as feeding the animals. The purpose-built sports hall was a favourite of all with a full size bouncy slide and music room and hosting an award ceremony on our final morning, celebrating everyone’s skills and talents.

One of everyone’s highlights was our day trip out with the CAFT team to Gulliver’s World Theme Park, roller-Coasters, water slides, thrills and spills surrounded by wildlife and dinosaurs!! A few of our young carers had never been to a theme park before so it was a real treat. The young carers also enjoyed a morning of animal encounters with Martin who works at the farm. Handling baby mice, feeding Alpaca’s, brushing dinky donkeys and letting the chicken’s sit on their heads and shoulders.

As well as having fun the young carers learned many skills such as team building, problem solving, building friendships, overcoming anxieties and first nights away from home for some.

Knowsley Safari Park – 14th April 2018

Once again we were very lucky to be invited back to Knowsley Safari Park. This time, we took a different group along. The young carers from the Middlewich area were joined in one of the evening respite sessions by superstar volunteer Hayley. Hayley delivered some outreach education around various animals and habitats

around the safari park prior to the young carers visit. Once we arrived, we got to meet all the animals we had learned about and even had some 1-1 time with the Sea Lion Arthur! We were each given hugs and kisses from the 21 stone mammal and later enjoyed the show along with all the members of the public enjoying the sunshine at the park. We got to watch the Meerkat show and learn their names and also made fruit kebabs to hang up for the bats in the their cave! To finish our trip off, we all climbed into the safari bus and had a tour around the car safari. Baboons enjoyed climbing on the bus and we even caught a glimpse of the new baby Rhino. The sunshine finally came out for our last trip of the Easter Programme. This trip was a perfect was to wrap up Easter with many new friends and memories made and experiences the young carers will treasure for years to come.

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The Volunteers

Nine volunteers and 110 volunteering hours helped to make this Easter Programme a possibility. The continuing support we are given from our committed volunteers allows us to keep on developing and delivering the highest level of support and activities for all of our young carers. From one day trips to five day residentials, our wonderful volunteers simply are wonderful. A special thanks to Dave Lanham, Margaret Marsh and Rebecca Payne for helping at Flip Out. Thank you to Alison Weston and Dorothy Evans for supporting our Monkey Forest Trip. And Thank you to Kate Mooney and Dave Lanham again for attending and volunteering their time at Chester Zoo. A big special thank you goes to Hayley Worsfold for attending our five day residential to the Children’s Adventure Farm, offering tremendous amounts of 1-1 support and inviting the young carers to the Safari Park for a wonderful experience with the animals. Without our volunteers, these events wouldn’t be possible.

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The Impact

Chester Zoo

Survey Question Yes Maybe NoDid you enjoy the zoo? 82% 14% 4%Have you been to a zoo before? 93% 0% 7%Would you go to the zoo again? 64% 29% 7%Have you learned some new things about animals?

43% 21% 36%

Have you made a new friend? 75% 11% 14%

Ski Trip and Welsh Mountain Zoo

Survey Question Yes Maybe NoDid you enjoy going skiing? 78% 11% 11%Did you enjoy the Welsh Mountain Zoo? 56% 44% 0%Would you go skiing again? 56% 22% 22%Have you learned some new things about exercise?

33% 33% 33%

Have you made a new friend? 44% 22% 33%

Flip Out

Survey Question Yes Maybe NoDid you enjoy going to Flip Out? 100% 0% 0%Have you been trampoling before? 100% 0% 0%Have you learned some new things about exercise?

30% 20% 50%

Have you made a new friend? 50% 0% 50%

Trentham Gardens

Survey Question Yes Maybe NoDid you enjoy going to Trentham Monkey Forest? 88% 12% 0%Have you been to a monkey forest before? 40% 0% 60%Would you go to the monkey forest again? 64% 36% 0%Have you learned new facts about monkeys? 28% 32% 40%Have you made a new friend? 72% 8% 20%

CAFT Residential

Survey Question Yes Maybe NoDid you enjoy the residential? 87% 13% 0%Have you been on a residential before? 60% 0% 40%Would you go on a residential again? 60% 33% 7%Have you learned some new things about the 100% 0% 0%

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outdoors?Have you made a new friend? 100% 0% 0%

Day at Manchester

Survey Question Yes Maybe NoDid you enjoy the museum? 100% 0% 0%Did you enjoy lunch? 86% 0% 14%Did you enjoy the hospital visit? 72% 14% 14%Have you been to Manchester before? 86% 14% 0%Have you been to a similar restaurant before? 29% 0% 71%Would you go to Manchester again? 100% 0% 0%Have you learned something new about the job roles available within the NHS?

86% 0% 14%

Knowsley Safari Park

Survey Question Yes Maybe NoDid you enjoy going to the Safari Park 100% 0% 0%Have you been to a Safari Park before before? 80% 0% 20%Would you go to the Safari Park again? 100% 0% 0%Have you learned new facts about the animals? 100% 0% 0%Have you made a new friend? 50% 0% 50%

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The Feedback “Thank you guys, Child A had a great time!” – Parent

“Amazing, Child B has had the most fantastic time. Thank you to all the staff at young carers and the children's adventure farm trust.” – Parent

“A big thank you for giving them such a fab experience but so happy have my little lady home” – Parent

“Thank you for taking Child C to the Safari Park had a brilliant time, our children are so lucky to be part of something so caring” – Parent

“Thank you so much, my son had a wonderful time today, thank you to you and all involved” – Parent

“Thanks for giving Child D a great break away, she had an amazing time the Farm”. - Parent

“Child E is a fantastic little girl and I would be lost without her. She does more for us as a family than any child should, she helps when I’m poorly. Cheshire young carers do a fab job helping and supporting these young carers in their roles and also helping them to be kids again. My daughter’s confidence has grown so much since attending these sessions. From the bottom of my heart I thank Cheshire young carers and children adventure farm trust for everything you do. she has just arrived home and had an amazing time" - Parent

“Chester Zoo was really good fun, Child F really got a lot out of it and it’s helped him make some friends which I know he really wants. He gets so much out of days like that, and we are so grateful.” - Parent

“Without your support, my children wouldn’t really get a break and have other adults to talk to who they trust like that” - Parent

“The zoo was good – but the skiing was amazing, I’ve never done that before and it was nice to see people when I’m off school as well” – Young Carer

“I loved the Monkey Forest, I’ve never been that close to animals before, and they were so cute. It’s amazing to see my best friends as well, they are the best” – Young Carer

“Thank you for a wonderful week, you are the best, I really enjoyed the adventure farm, it was amazing. I told Mum and Dad it was 100 out or 10. Tell all of my friends I already miss them” – Young Carer

“It was an amazing week ...the children were all a real credit.” – Helen Whittaker (Farm Trust worker)

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“The young adults were a great group of young people and we really enjoyed meeting them and working with them during the afternoon” – Leo Clifton, Greater Manchester NHS Careers Hub Manager

“We have a fantastic group of Young Carers staying with us this week from around Cheshire. I've been lucky to spend a little time today with 10 year old Child E who helps to look after her twin brothers, one of whom has additional needs. Child F talked so positively about taking on this role, it was clear that she's a caring young girl who loves to help.

Cheshire Young Carers provides fortnightly sessions for these fantastic children, a time for them to play and have fun and to meet other children who are taking on a caring role. Child G told me how much she loves these sessions and how great it is to spend time with other children who are 'helpful' too.

We're honoured to offer these amazing children a break away from their caring roles in a supportive, fun and safe environment here at CAFT. These children deserve to be celebrated every day of the week, but especially today - National Siblings Day today. We're in awe of these caring young children and it's an honour to spend time with them during their stay.” – CAFT

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