ASNA Young Carers week will take place 8th – 12th August at PGL Swindon. Places almost gone. Send email to check availability to ASNA office info@asna.info.Download application form here. Application form for young carers week 2011

Program for Bright Futures week 16th – 20th Aug. 2010 now available.

Follow this link to view the program.

For further details email us.

Bright Futures 2010 – 16th – 20th August at the Rock UK Frontier Centre, Addington Road, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, NN9 5UH, United Kingdom.

Activities for 2010 include kayaking, high ropes, archery and more.

Microsoft Word – SYCAF Booking form 2010

What do people say about……
ASNA Carers weekends:

Just a quick line to say hi and thanks for such a good weekend it was good fun, laughter and yes spiritual healing for me.

You dont all know but i had a very bad week and it was so nice to be around people like you guys loving,caring and funny…..good,understanding and most of all fun.

We all had a good time as a result of that trip i joined the gym on Monday gone and went today it was fab i have a long way to go but i will look better soon for myself.

Imagine you dont have to drink to have this much fun.

I would like to say that as usual I enjoyed the weekend and always gain alot from the weekends spiritually, socially and physically. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend away

Thank you again for a lovely weekend.

What do Young Carers say about the Bright Futures project?

What I enjoyed most and why?

“The beach – because I haven’t been on a beach since I was two years old.”

“Splash down Get down – high ropes, beach, splash down, bowling .. everything.”

“Everything – meeting new people. This week was great”

“The way everyone got on with one another/looked after each other.”

“The group discussion sessions really made me think about the importance of developing my personal character”

New dates for Bright Futures for young carers project 2010!

The ASNA Young carers residential summer break will take place on the 16th – 20th August at the Frontier centre, Northants.

Join in and experience…….

• Great fun,
• Excitement,
• Challenges
• Make new friends

Keep an eye on this page. More details to follow closer to August.

Thanks to Bright Futures sponsors 2008…

• ADRA UK
• Four Acre Trust

Who are  Young Carers?

Several definitions of a ‘young carer’ exist in current legislation and guidance. In 1995, the Social Services Inspectorate defined a young carer as: “A child or young person (under age 18) who is carrying out significant caring tasks and assuming a level of responsibility for another person, which would usually be taken by an adult.” (Department of Health, 1995, Chief Inspector letter C1 (95)12)

The Carers’ (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 uses the definition: “Children and young people (under 18) who provide or intend to provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis.” A detailed discussion of the existing legislation used to define young carers can be found in Baker (PRTC, 2002). It concludes that “current legislation, even the most recent, does little to stop or support children caring for a relative at home”.

In 1998, the Carers National Association (now Carers UK) defined a young carer as: “anyone under the age of 18 whose life is in some way restricted because of the need to take responsibility for the care of someone who is ill, has a disability, is experiencing mental distress, or is affected by substance misuse.” This last definition highlights the importance of taking into account not only the extent and nature of caring but also the actual or potential impact it has on the young carer. Another definition – “A young carer is someone of 16 years of age or younger, who because of a parent’s disability undertakes essential and perhaps non-essential caring tasks (personal care, housework, fetching and carrying) over and above what would normally be expected of their peer group. They may also be undertaking this role willingly, or through necessity because the disabled parent is not receiving this assistance from social services, or from a responsible adult.

Young Carers enjoy the Bright Futures week holiday

A ‘disabled parent’ can also include a parent with a drug or alcohol addiction, or long-term illness.”

ASNA recognises the needs of young carers and in response to this need, has developed the Bright Futures project enabling families to feel supported.

YC are at risk of social exclusion as a result of their duties. Young carers are also likely to experience economic problems due to missed school opportunities as a result of  their caring responsibilities. This project aims to give YC an opportunity to meet with other YC in similar situations. Here they will share experiences, feel supported, receive advice on future plans, make new friends and have fun!

“What do young carers say about having a brother or sister with a disability?”

“The experience of having a brother or sister with a disability ivaries – not all disabled siblings are the same.

It’s like being a parent already.

Having a sister with a disability is like a challenge. The challenge is to be extra-nice and extra-caring. However it’s not as difficult as some people think. Some siblings can communicate and care for themselves to an extent.”

“Having a brother with disability is very great because he is really bright and active and I have lots of fun. We get to do lots of things, like going on holiday and trips. I am very lucky that I have my brother; he is a child of God and God will help him get better and he might walk.”

“It’s quite hard at the start of all the drama but when you become good buddies with your sibling you begin to look at the good times instead of the bad, and understand that it’s the way it is. But it does make me think every now and again ‘why?’ and what everyone’s life would be like if he didn’t have a disability.”

What do Young Carers say about the Bright Futures project?

What I enjoyed most and why?

“The beach – because I haven’t been on a beach since I was two years old.”

“Splash down Get down – high ropes, beach, splash down, bowling .. everything.”

“Everything – meeting new people. This week was great”

“The way everyone got on with one another/looked after each other.”

“The group discussion sessions really made me think about the importance of developing my personal character”

The freezing subzero temperatures could not cool the hearts and hospitality of the Dublin SDA Church members as they welcomed Sophia, Nigel and Christopher -James Nicholls to the Dublin SDA Church Disability Awareness day held on the  28th November 2009.

Thanks to the organisation and commitment of the coordinator in Dublin, Dorothy Mulenga, ASNA had an excellent opportunity to provide an afternoon of disability awareness training where members were encouraged to address the barriers preventing inclusion and access to services provided by the church.

Christopher - James and Dorothy

Disability awareness day in Dublin, 28th November 2009

Sophia (ASNA Trainer) and Dorothy (Dublin coordinator)

The morning service was presented by Sharon Platt MacDonald (BUC Health ministries Director). Her enthusiasm and commitment to the ministry was demonstrated through her sermon ‘at the table’.

ASNA trainers Sophia, Nigel with parent carer Mary in the middle

Mary, mother of a young boy with autism, shared her personal experience of the challenges and joys she faces every day caring for her son. Her heart- felt testimony inspired many to support her family and those within the community.

Sophia and Nigel shared their personal testimony and how their experience drew them to start ASNA.  Christopher- James their son, shared his personal experience of living with a brother with severe disabilities and being a young carer. He also described how much he enjoyed the Bright Futures summer break where he was able to meet other young carers giving him a sense of community with others living similar lives as his own.

Bright Futures 4 Young Carers:

This project provides siblings of children with disabilities and other young carers aged 11 – 18 with activities and support events, online contact and access to support groups.

• S.Y.C.A.F – Sibling, Young Carers And Friends – is a week long residential holiday for Young Carers.

• Young carers on line – online social network for young carers for mutual support and sharing experiences
• Dates for 2010 – 16th – 20th August.

Please contact us for more details.

Bright Futures 4 Disabled children:

This project gives children with disabilities a holiday to meet new friends, access play and leisure and be able to develop social and other communication skills.

• Connect Breaks  – weekend holiday for children with disabilites and thier families
• Music and communication (MiC) – after school music clubs for children with disabilities to provide access to short breaks, music making and social interaction , multisensory programs to develop communication and self awareness, training and awareness.

Please contact us for more details