Making Memories Programme
LIKE ALL OF US, AND IN FACT, MORE THAN MOST, YOUNG CARERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE TIME FOR THEMSELVES NOW AND AGAIN
But in the midst of their caring responsibilities, this is time that young carers often struggle to find. MYTIME works to carve out that precious time for young carers.
Our Making Memories Programme PROVIDES young carers with opportunities to make special memories
Young carers can come under enormous pressures, and because their caring roles can be so all-consuming, they are often unable to counterbalance these with hobbies or with time for themselves. This can result in high stress levels and poor mental health and can leave young carers lacking any real sense of self. In addition to this, the young carers we serve tell us that children without caring responsibilities are generally unable to imagine or understand their situation, and that as a result, young carers often feel isolated. Lack of identity, ineffective or limited support networks and poor mental health can all have profound and lasting impact on a young person's daily life and future prospects.
Our Making Memories Programme does what it says on the tin: it's all about providing young carers with opportunities to make special memories with great friends. Through our fun and enriching activity days, residential retreats and online youth group sessions, young carers are able to take much-needed breaks from their caring responsibilities, to experience new things and to come together as a community with other young carers.
Learn more about how you can support our Making Memories day programmes below.
Addressing the Need
National data available around young carers suggests that:
Mental Health
feel that their caring role has impacted their mental health 1
Stress
feel stressed because of their caring responsibilities 2
Leisure Activities
feel that their participation in leisure activities has suffered as a result of their caring responsibilities 1
Loneliness
of the estimated 700,000 part-time carers under the age of 18 report feeling lonely 3
Isolation
of young carers have felt more alone than usual since the pandemic 4
No Downtime
of them weren't able to take a break from their caring responsibilities during lockdowns 4
1 The Children’s Society
2 Carer’s Trust
3 Research carried out by Action for Children and Carers Trust
4 Caring Together
Programme overview
Download our report to learn more about our
Making Memories programme
Testimonials
"Today has been the most fun I have had in a long time. It's nice to have a break and get to know other young carers." ~ Dani, aged 13
“I enjoy the online youth group activities. They help me to connect with other children in the same boat as me” ~ Joe, aged 8
“Sometimes people don’t understand what we do and they judge us. That’s when we get bullied. But here, everyone understands.” ~ Chloe, aged 11
The Making Memories programme has been developed especially for young carers aged 5 – 18
The aims of the programme are to:
Provide young carers with much-needed breaks from their caring responsibilities, and thus to help reduce their stress levels
Create a strong sense of community among young carers and reduce feelings of loneliness
Offer young carers new experiences, thus allowing them to build a sense of identity and to develop a range of life skills
What we offer
MAKING MEMORIES
ZOOM YOUTH GROUP
These weekly online sessions for young carers aged 5 and above feature activities ranging from arts and crafts to baking to themed parties. Sessions allow young carers to relax and have fun, all from within their own home.
MAKING MEMORIES
ACTIVITY DAYS
Hosted during school holidays, these action-packed days give young carers a chance to try new things. From rock-climbing to archery, from cookery to ice-skating, there's a whole range of activities to take part in.
MAKING MEMORIES
RESIDENTIAL RETREATS
Created especially for young carers, these retreats take place several times a year. Young carers spend 3 days at our amazing accommodation centre on the Jurassic Coast and take part in a variety of activities with other young carers.
EMPLOYABILITY
PROGRAMME
Learn more
An 8-week course designed specifically for young carers aged 16 – 25, offering practical tools, workshops and guidance from experts to support and help young carers access further education, training or employment.
Testimonials
"Today is a break from home - I love days like this. I get to meet other young carers and I feel like I belong." Emily, aged 7
“I love MYTIME and all the people that do the sessions. They make me feel like as a young carer I’m doing a good job” ~ Ben, aged 12
“Being a young carer sometimes makes me feel frustrated because everything’s on me. I’m quick to get angry and I think that’s why. Days like today help me to relax.” ~ Amira, aged 9
Learn More
More Information
If you are a parent or young carer who would like to sign up to attend our activity days, our online youth group sessions or residential retreats, or if you would like to support this programme, please contact