On 26th October 2011, SYC held an exciting celebration event: our Young People’s Showcase and launch of the amazing new ‘29 Minute Meals’ book & film (developed in partnership with Syeda: South Yorkshire Eating Disorders Association)

More than 80 people attended the event held at The Centre in the Park in Norfolk Park, including Council Leader Councillor Julie Dore, Lord Mayor of Sheffield Councillor Sylvia Dunkley and a host of others representing funders, education and health professionals, as well as many families of young carers who attend SYCP. Key to the success of the event, however, was the participation of 24 committed and brave young carers - and two mothers of young carers - who shared their experiences through drama, art, stories and presentations.

“Young carers, staff members and trustees were excited to have the opportunity to tell people in Sheffield what it’s like to be a young carer, and just how amazing young carers are,” says Laura Selby, Development Worker at Sheffield Young Carers Project. "There were some truly inspirational stories told honestly but without self pity. The impact was so strong, many members of the audience were moved to tears. As emotional as many of the presentations and performances were, people need to hear the reality that young carers and their families live with, day in and day out, so it was great that so many influential people were there wanting to listen. "

The event also showcased SYCP’s new Family Project. Launched in February this year, with funding from Comic Relief via the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, the Family Project works with families where there are substance misuse and/or mental health issues, giving practical support to lift the caring burden shouldered by the young carer. Two adults who have benefited so far bravely took the stand to explain the impact our support has had on them and their family.

“SYCP would like to send our thanks to those who took part in our Family Project session last week,” said Maryam Mahmud, Family Worker at SYCP. “It took a tremendous amount of courage to speak about their distressing situations and why they sought support from our project.

The Family Project aims to support the whole family, finding practical solutions to problems and sourcing new avenues of support for the person being cared for. We are very pleased with the way the project is progressing.”

SYCP's event also saw the launch of an exciting new recipe book and film, which came from a project this summer that taught young carers from SYCP how to cook quick, nutritious meals for themselves and their families. The '29-Minute Meals' project came about through working in partnership with SYEDA (South Yorkshire Eating Disorders Association) and resulted in the development of a recipe book containing simple, healthy meals, along with a short cookery show-style film featuring young carers demonstrating their newly-honed cooking skills. The project would not have been possible without generous support from SYEDA and Sheffield Hallam University.

To order copies of recipe book (going on sale in Dec 2011) or find out more, contact us. 

And here's the film that accompanies the book, kindly produced by Pseudonym Films:

The event also welcomed two new trustees to the organisation, whilst acknowledging the work and commitment of recently departed trustees David Stockdale and Jardane Walker as part of SYCP’s AGM.