It had been agreed, as one of the results of the Club’s research last year, that contact would be made with Gloucestershire Young Carers to discuss areas where support was needed and members could potentially help. Project lead Kathy and Club member Joanna initially visited the Young Carer’s Head office in Twigworth. Gloucestershire Young Carers (http://www.glosyoungcarers.org.uk).
The staff were very enthusiastic and welcomed the Club’s offer to help in specific areas that will be of benefit in raising opportunities for young girls especially. The average age of a young Carer in Gloucestershire is 12yrs. Subsequently a number of members attended a very informative meeting with Jane from Young Carers. They were taken through a Power Point Presentation that informed them about stark details pertaining to Young Carers.
It was agreed that the first area help was needed was to visit GP Surgeries in the Cotswolds to see how much information and support was available, through GPs, for Young Carers. Are there referrals from GPs to ‘Gloucestershire Young Carers’ provide support for Young Carers? How many GPs are aware of children accompanying an adult to the surgery are actually young carers and what needs they themselves may have? Post meeting the Club were advised that, inn the year 01/10/2016 to 30/09/2017, there was only one referral by a GP surgery in Gloucestershire! There are 16 surgeries in the Cotswolds which need visiting and Club members are volunteering to undertake these visits.
Each volunteer member is to be provided with introductory letter from Young Carers to take to Surgeries and they will also complete the Volunteer form and the Data Protection forms are being finalised. It is anticipated that this Project will be launched at the January Business meeting
In addition, the operational key worker for the Cirencester area is also looking forward to discussing the possibility of some Soroptimists mentoring teenage girls who need empowering support. A Trustee from Gloucestershire Young Carers and also an NHS lead who are both interested in the proposed Project will be introduced to the Soroptimists.
If anyone is interested in learning more about this Project, including Members of other Soroptimist Clubs, please contact, in the first place, Publicity Chairman, Barbara Banks in confidence: Barbara@banks31.myzen.co.uk