A group of young carers from The Elizabethan Academy in Retford have taken part in an adventure day at Walesby Forest Activity Centre.
The School Games event, organised by Active Notts together with Bassetlaw School Games Organiser Kate Voice, was designed to be an inspirational day for the young people. It followed a consultation with them which showed they were keen to try new outdoor activities and the young people were able to help shape the day.
All of the young people took part in low ropes, indoor climbing, laser tag and the 3G swing, with many overcoming fears, such as heights, to take part and achieve their personal best.
Feedback after the event showed that many felt that their confidence, ability to talk to new people or their ability to make new friends had increased as a result of the day.
All of the young people were identified to take part after insight showed that they were less likely to be active due to their caring responsibilities, which can mean that they are not able to stay for after-school activities for example.
The aim is that by giving them a positive experience of being active, and giving them the opportunity to get outside and try new things as part of this event, they will now be more engaged in activities within school.
Follow up work will now include more consultation with the young people to find out what activities they would like to take part in back in school. There is also the aim to link the young people in with Opening School Facilities work taking place at nearby Retford Oaks Academy, which would allow them to attend a session for young carers within the gym.
Notts Young Carers services and TuVida, which supports unpaid carers and the people they care for, are also supporting this targeted work, giving the young people alternative options to be active in the community and also exit routes so that those who will soon be leaving school still have the opportunity to be active.
