Contact us for more information

01892 530330

 
 

Any young person who finds themselves caring for a family member due to illness or disability is known as a 'young carer'.

 
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LATEST NEWS

VAWKTALK

14 May 2012

Check out our new blog vawktalk, for all things vawk, to hear about what’s going on in your area and the good work happening in the community –

http://vawktalk.wordpress.com/

 

Tea Dance 28th June, 26th July, 27th Sept, 25th Oct, 22nd Nov

Tea Dance 28th June 26th July 27th Sept 25th Oct 22nd Nov

02 May 2012

At the Camden Centre, Tunbridge Wells

If you miss the old tunes and enjoy a good waltz please come along & dust off your dancing shoes!

 

The Kent Big Society Fund is open for applications

The Kent Big Society Fund is open for applications

21 Mar 2012

Kent Community Foundation working in partnership with Kent County Council have launched the Kent Big Society Fund for social enterprises in Kent. 

 

Love Where We Live 2012

06 Mar 2012

 Hopefully, you have been reading and hearing about the awards over the last few months.  If you haven’t, they are all about rewarding the good will and community spirit that exists in our borough.  Many individuals and organisations make the borough the great place it is to live.  They give up precious time and energy on ideas, work and others that make the quality of life for many so much better. 

 

ACEVO Spring Health and Social Care Conference: Demonstrating Value and Delivering Efficiency

ACEVO Spring Health and Social Care Conference Demonstrating Value and Delivering Efficiency

24 Feb 2012

This conference will offer practical tools and expert insight to help your organisation effectively engage with the new Health and Social Care landscape.

As we adapt to this new environment, the Chief Executive of the NHS, Sir David Nicholson, has challenged the NHS to make £20 billion worth of savings over the next four years. Sir David is confirmed to give the morning keynote at the conference and a Q & A session will offer the opportunity to question what role he sees the community and voluntary sector playing in meeting this challenge.

 

Be part of the 2012 Games action in the District – volunteers needed

09 Feb 2012

Local people are being given the unique ‘once in a life’ opportunity to help out at the Paralympic Games Road Cycling at Brands Hatch and Torch Relay in Sevenoaks District.  You could be a key part of these events and all you need is a warm and welcoming nature and enjoy engaging with new people

 

New 121 Cafe

New 121 Cafe

19 Dec 2011

The 121 befriending project has recently launched the 121 social café in Tunbridge Wells. The cafe provides a safe and fun environment in which young people can meet new friends and give each other support. Members of the café have overcome their own personal barriers to feel happy and more optimistic about the future.

 
 
 
 
 

"I was feeling quite stressed and just needed time out for myself. I joined the 121 Young Carers Project and i've found it much easier to cope - it's good to have other people my own age to share problems with."

A young carer
 
 
 
 
 
 

Who is a Young Carer?

Young Carers are a child or young person looking after a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health issues, or drug and alcohol issue. Young Carers take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would be the same as an adult carer.

What does a Young Carer do?

The caring can involve physical care such as personal care for a parent, giving medication, helping someone get up, get dressed or to get around. Or it could mean providing emotional support for someone who has a mental health problem or substance addiction. In addition, many Young Carers are also responsible for looking after younger brothers and sisters and household chores, including budgeting and managing money.

 
 
 

How can their caring role affect them?

Invisible Young Carers that have not been identified can become frustrated by the pressures they are under, this can lead to a domino effect including tiredness, loneliness, disruption in school and often low attendance, most importantly no time to be a child or young person or simply to have fun and relax.

What can 121 Young Carers do to help?

They support Young Carers aged 8-18 in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley by providing;

  • Home visits
  • Meet other young people in similar situations
  • Positive group activities and outings e.g. to the theatre, Bowling, Ice Skating
  • Regular Chill Clubs
  • Workshops e.g.  emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, money management
  • Opportunity to join the 121 Young Carers Forum
 
 
 
 
 

Contact Details

Voluntary Action Within Kent
17-19 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent,
TN1 1LS

Telephone:
01892 530330
Fax:
01892 532539
Email:
info@vawk.org.uk

Offices also throughout Kent and Medway

Registered charity number 1108388
Registered company number 5354482