Young Carers

The Young Carers Service (Shropshire) supports young people aged between five and 18 years old who are carers for a family member who is ill, disabled, suffers with mental health difficulties or has alcohol/drug related issues.

The service offers:

• Peer support
• Respite opportunities
• Fun activities such as arts, music, sports and trips
• 1:1 support from young carers in a similar situation
• A chance to make a difference to other young carers
• A chance to relax, have a break and have fun

Groups are held monthly at various locations around Shropshire.

Contact details:

• Website
• Carers support line: 01743 341995
• General enquires: 0333 323 1990 (Option 1, then option 6 to get through to the Shrewsbury Office)
• Email:shropYC@carerstrust4all.org.uk

Children & Young People Emotional and Mental Health and Wellbeing

BeeU is Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin’s children and families emotional health and wellbeing service. The service is a partnership between providers that ensure that children, young people and their families get timely and appropriate support for emotional health and wellbeing support.

Kooth

Children and young people aged 11 and above can access free confidential support and counselling from Kooth, which is an online service, without a referral.

Beam

Children and young people of all ages and their parents can access any of The Children Society’s drop-in sessions – BEAM, without an appointment or referral. Here they can talk to an experienced practitioner who will listen to and support them with any challenges facing them regarding emotional health and wellbeing. BEAM also offers several workshops focusing on specific issues. Information on the location and days BEAM operates can be found in the Family Information Directory.

Access Team

More specialist mental health support can be gained via the Access Team for the Young People and Families Mental Health Service (previously CAMHS).

Professionals and staff working with children and young people can contact the Access Team for a consultation or advice on the most appropriate direction of support. The Access Team can be contacted by phoning 0300 124 0093.

A specialist mental health intervention may be suggested which might include face to face psychological therapy with a young person, family therapy or a referral to Helios who offer therapeutic support via Skype. If this is the case a referral will be requested. Referrals can be received electronically or by secure email to 025SPA@sssft.nhs.uk

Kinship

Kinship is a national charity providing support to Special Guardians and other Kinship carers.

Over the last year, Kinship has developed a new website, specifically for our service users. As well as Kinship they also have Kinship Compass where kinship carers can find ways to connect with other kinship carers, advice and information, information about our workshops, and learn how to volunteer.

Kinship offers several services that are free to kinship carers.

• The Kinship Advice Service, which runs Monday-Friday from 9:30 AM to 2 PM on 0300 123 7015. Contact can also be made via Kinship Compass.
• Someone Like Me (SLM), where a kinship carer can receive up to 4 emotionally supportive telephone calls from another kinship carer, who is a volunteer trained by Kinship. We are always looking for more SLM volunteers, as the need is high. Kinship carers can self-refer via the Kinship Compass website.
• If you're, or know of a kinship carer, who would be interested in becoming a SLM volunteer, you can learn more about the role and apply here.
• There's also an online chat service, where kinship carers can receive emotional support through Kinship’s website.
• Kinship is now offering several specific online support groups, such as the Kinship Carers with Teenagers Group. All these groups and more can be found online.
• There's also free online workshops with a diverse range of topics. The topics range from better communication, the Adoption Support Fund, managing contact, understanding trauma, and more.

Family Rights Group

The Family Rights Group is a national charity that advises parents, grandparents, relatives and friends about their rights and options when social workers or courts make decisions about their children’s welfare. They work with parents whose children are in need, at risk or are in the care system, and with wider family members and friends who are raising children (known as kinship carers).

• Website
• Free Advice Line: 0808 801 0366
  (Monday to Friday 9:30am and 3pm, excluding bank holidays)