‘My Time 2 Stormbreak’:
A collaboration with Dorset based Young Carers organisation My Time
Young carers do so much to support their loved ones, and they often develop an amazing set of skills along the way. They can be incredibly mature, compassionate, and responsible, but they can also face challenges as a result of their caring roles.
Young Carers on resilience: “As a young carer, when someone we love is unwell, it can be hard to stay strong. Building our skills of resilience helps us to develop an inner strength, to be brave and to keep going, even when things feel tough. We develop an ability to ‘bounce back’ from difficult situations and to adapt in the face of challenges. It’s ok to find things tricky. It’s ok to feel like giving up.”
This project was a partnership between stormbreak and MYTIME Young Carers Charity. MYTIME exists to level the playing field for young carers (and adult young carers) of ages 5-25, by providing them with the support, opportunities and friendship that every child needs.
Over the course of seven days, the ‘MyTime2stombreak Project’ involved young carers, aged 14 and above, in designing, developing and presenting a set of ‘stormbreaks’ - which are short videos designed to improve emotional wellbeing through mentally healthy movement for younger young carers.
Young Carers on self-care: “As a young carer, it can be hard to find time for ourselves when we’re providing support for others, but we can’t do a good job of looking after someone else if we’re not feeling well ourselves. That’s why it’s so important that we develop the self-care strategies that work for us, and build time into our daily routines for these. It’s about noticing how we’re feeling, and responding to those emotions instead of just ignoring them. It's ok to put ourselves first sometimes. It’s ok to ask for help.”
Young carers face a unique set of challenges from their caring roles, in comparison to their peers. It was important that stormbreak empowered the expert older young carers voices, to create a resource that would resonate with younger young carers; which bravely addresses the complexity of life, with the validity that comes from the mouth of “one who knows”. This method of peer-to-peer support enables children to feel safe and connected to others with shared experience.
Young Carers on self-worth: “As a young carer, if we feel different to others, if we’re finding things difficult or if we don’t feel like we really know ourselves very well, then our self-worth can suffer. Self-worth is all about the way we think and feel about ourselves. None of us are perfect, but as young carers, we do so much for others, and that’s amazing. We should feel proud of ourselves, and show ourselves the same kindness that we show others. It’s ok to be different. It’s ok not to have all the answers.”
The videos are designed to support primary aged young carers with resilience, relationships, hope and optimism, self-care, and self-worth; the aim being to support their emotional wellbeing and reduce feelings of isolation.
Young Carers on hope & optimism: "As a young carer, if our loved ones are poorly, or if we’re overwhelmed with responsibilities, we might feel sad, stressed or worried, and that’s ok. But it’s important to remember that life is full of highs and lows. Just because we care for others, doesn’t mean that we’re not allowed to follow our own dreams and desires. In fact, thinking positively about the future and concentrating on our own goals can help us to cope emotionally during difficult times. It's ok to have a down day. It’s ok to dream.”
Watch a video about this project 
“Young Carers need to be celebrated, and this is just one way of supporting and celebrating the roles that these guys have”
Kierney
Young carer
“Here are some strategies we've used that have made us feel better, have helped us with certain things”
Jemima
Young carer
“What could be more powerful than an older Young Carer speaking to a younger Young Carer about their experiences”
Krista Sharp
MYTIME CEO
“There is something really special about bringing them together because there is a shared understanding about what [being a young carer] means”
Krista Sharp
MYTIME CEO
“It's really exciting because it empowers the Young Carers that we're working with to help other Young Carers”
Martin Yelling
stormbreak CEO
“We are so excited to become role models for these young carers”
Jemima
Young carer
Young Carers on relationships: "As a young carer, relationships can be tricky, especially when we’re busy and when it’s hard to make time for friends. It’s important to understand that relationships can change and break down, but can also be repaired. If we can recognise our own feelings, then we can communicate these to others, and we can also start to recognise the way that other people might be feeling too. It’s ok to disagree sometimes. It’s ok to tell others how we feel.””
"It's been a really positive experience for me to talk about my journey.”
Watch our short video about the impact collaborating with stormbreak is having on the mental health of a group of @mytime_charity young carers.
