Tag: Be Free Young Carers

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Carers News

Pip & Zoe’s Work Experience Takeover

“Our work experience at Be Free YC has provided valuable insight into the realities of working in an office environment and the dedication required to support over 650 young carers across the region.

In just two and a half days, we have been involved in a variety of tasks— from crafting beaded bracelets for Truck Festival to contributing ideas for an upcoming social media takeover, which we are excited to take part in. Each activity has demonstrated the diversity of work involved in running a charity as amazing as this one.


An amazing few days with the kind, supportive (and crackers) staff have shown us that office jobs are not as boring as everyone makes them out they are. If the people around you are as funny and encouraging as the workers and staff at Be Free, no job will ever bore you. Even the 1:30 hour-long meetings and planning sessions have been interesting and insightful.

Being in the place where all the planning, meetings, fundraising, and initial ideas are made and executed, is such a privilege. If you are interested in business studies, economics, health and social care or just the general interest of spending your time doing something incredible for the people who deserve it, then this is the place for you.

Although our time here has been brief so far, it has already been incredibly informative and rewarding. We are looking forward to the next two days andto learning even more about the important work that goes into supportingyoung carers.”

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Charity News

Eggcellent Easter!

A huge thank you to Saïd Business School and Play2Give for donating Easter Eggs for our Young Carers to enjoy this half term!

115 eggs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and alternative options, as well as 13 chocolate bunnies and bears, 15 small chocolate eggs, and eight sweet and chocolate bags, were very kindly gifted to us by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Play2Give also gave us an eggcellent collection of Easter goodies, giving us 106 in total! Our Young Carers have been spoilt for choice again this year!

In total, we received over 220 easter eggs and chocolate goodies, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and alternative options, catering to every young carer we supported over the holidays. We are always so grateful every year to receive such generous donations from local businesses and like-minded community organisations, looking to make a difference to the children and young people in their areas.

With our Easter respite break finishing last week, the last of our egg donations have made their way to our Young Carers and more than likely are being eaten as we speak. And there’s one thing we know for sure is chocolate eggs go down a treat with our Young Carers. See the photos below for proof!

Categories
Charity News

BFYC Expand into West Oxfordshire!

As many of you are already aware, our charity is currently the region’s sole charity dedicated to enhancing the well-being and life opportunities of young carers through recreational, emotional and social support.

Our team engages with 650 young carers in South Oxfordshire, Vale of the White Horse and Oxford City annually, but is now broadening its footprint to fulfil the latest phase of its countywide expansion plans!

Last month, our BFYC team, alongside our trustees, charity supporters and friends, came together to officially launch in West Oxfordshire!

Sabiene North, CEO of Be Free Young Carers, said expanding the charity’s work into west Oxfordshire will unlock critical support services to help young carers thrive both independently and in their life-changing roles.

Sabiene said:

“Being a young carer is the ultimate responsibility,” said Sabiene. “In almost all cases, young carers have no choice but to take on the role while their peers can enjoy the freedoms every young person should have the opportunity to enjoy.”

“In our 30 years as a charity, we’ve seen first-hand the life-changing impact our work has on individuals and those who are reliant on the care of a younger relative. This latest phase of our countywide expansion plans will ensure we can continue to meet the requirements of young carers in the regions we serve.”

To mark Be Free Young Carers’ expansion, the charity held a special celebration in partnership with TWM Financial Planning.

The event underlined the importance of the charity’s work after research found that two in three young carers aged 8-17 suffer from stress, more than half (51 per cent) live with sleep problems, and over a third (39 per cent) are frustrated by their role.

Carly Buckingham, Youth Worker at Be Free Young Carers, has been in her role since 2011 and said the requirement to support Oxfordshire’s young carers has never been greater.

Carly said:

“We’re constantly exploring how we can improve opportunities to help young carers in Oxfordshire fulfil their potential. Our countywide expansion plans will deliver the best opportunities and outcomes to those we work with.

“Being born and raised in west Oxfordshire, it makes me proud that our services will be touching the lives of children growing up locally to me. Every young carer is an unsung hero in my opinion and deserves to be supported in their role.”

Based in Witney, TWM Financial Planning backed Be Free Young Carers during the pandemic by donating laptops for young people to use who were relying on smartphones or borrowed hardware to attend school lessons.

Director Mat Timms said:

“It was our pleasure to celebrate the launch of Be Free Young Carers’ expansion into west Oxfordshire by hosting the team and guests at our headquarters.

“As a father myself, I realise daily how privileged my children are to enjoy their childhood without the additional weight of responsibility that comes with being a carer at such a young age.

“We’re proud to support Be Free Young Carers in upscaling the vital work of their youth workers, volunteers and team behind the scenes who play such an important role in making a positive difference to the lives of those they work with.”