My two girls Michelle and Ashley joined kool carers last year and have been every week since the club has reopened and so far every week they have loved going and they say they are always made to feel welcome and they love the way each week there is some thing new to learn and do, all the staff at groups are amazing and always helpful .we love they way someone calls or texts every week to make sure us and the girls are well, The centre were the group is held is always clean and the staff are always so happy and kind to welcome the girls and even let me sit in as Ashley would not stay with out me as she has some health issues and never goes anywhere new on her own till she feels save and happy the girls went on the Kool Carers Stubbers trip on 22/5/2021;Michelle and Ashley had a long day but we enjoyed trying rock climbing, abseiling and bush craft,.we survived and enjoyed all of it had loads of fun even Ashley loved everything but was totally exhausted!!!she loved that everyone was nice as she was worried about being in her wheel chair but everyone made her feel like the same as everyone else. Michelle made new friends and I’m so happy we came and i was so happy they all made me feel welcome to ,Im so happy that kool carers is about and i wish they were about when my older children were younger they would of found it really good to ,We can not wait for more adventures to come over time, i tell everyone i talk to how much the cluds have helped the 2 girls cant recommend them enough,
thank you
Emma

“Being able to come to Kool Carers with my children, has changed our lives.  My children and I have been receiving therapeutic support from the Kool Carers Counsellors and I have seen a really significant improvement in my children’s behaviour and their social and emotional development.  I have had therapy on and off since I was 9 years old, due to my bi-polar.  I can honestly say that the counselling and therapy that I am having with Kool Carers is the most effective that I have ever had.  Kool Carers has brought us together as a family,”

Prior to being diagnosed with fibromyalgia my family led a very active life, forever out on walks and day trips to London, the zoo, beaches and country parks. Unfortunately this all changed when my health started to deteriorate with bouts of fatigue and pain something which was very difficult for my young son to understand. He regularly wakes when he hears me moving about and comes to check whether I need anything, helps me dress and on occasion wash. It is not something that I every imagined having to ask my son to do and was extremely sad about the amount of pressure that he felt. 

After a short period of working with Essex Young carers and the lovely Ashley my son Luca was refered to Kool Carers.

Kool carers really is a unique service, not only do they help Luca have time where he is purely a child they offer assistance for the whole family encouraging health and wellbeing throughout. Luca is now able to again enjoy those days out. Seeing a group of children in the same position in that he has found himself to be he is able to express himself without any fear of judgement. It truly is a safe place. 

Without the work that continued throughout all of the lockdowns we truly would not have been able to manage. It was a crucial lifeline for Luca seeing his friends and enjoying all of the various activities that were scheduled for them and I benefitted from the regular parent groups keeping my spirits up. 

I can honestly say that if I needed anything I know in my heart that any of the Kool Carers staff would be there to help. 

I am immensely proud and privileged to be associated with such a charity that provides such a crucial service. -Julie

‘I was privileged to spend some time on the Summer Breeze Programme. What I witnessed was a unique environment for young carers. If you can picture a perfect world, which is safe, kind and respectful, this is Kool Carers.

Our Tom’s journey:

Tom has two brothers, an older brother of 13 and Tom’s 9 year old twin.  Both of Tom’s brother’s have autism. Tom has great fun with his brothers, however living with them can be demanding.  Tom has to be accommodating, kind and very understanding.  Due to Tom having to compromise and manage his brothers’ behaviour, we often find he is unable to play by himself.  Or if he is asked a question to something he answers with;

“I will do what Dan wants”

Tom was reluctant to attend the Summer Breeze programme.  However, with the support of me being able to stay, Tom was able to attend each week and we watched his confidence grow and grow at home and also with his Nan and Grandad. The last day was incredible, I was unable to change my hours at work, so sadly I could not stay the whole day with Tom at Stubbers.  Tom was initially not very happy with this arrangement. At Stubbers all the young carers were together and it was two fellow young carers from the senior group who chatted and supported Tom when I had to go to work. On my return, Tom was so happy and joining in with the other children.  He enjoyed himself so much.

When Tom arrived home he was so excited to tell his Dad, Nan and Brothers about what he had done at Stubbers.  It was his adventure, his fun and his achievements.  Tom looked so much more grown up and radiated confidence.

Thank you, Rachel and Gina. You are super people, and the world is a better place because of people like you. You have enriched the lives of these children and young adults with your perfect world of Summer Breeze for Young Carers.’ By Jane Morgan

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‘Kool Carers provides these special children with so many opportunities.  All the children clearly love coming, each child is made to feel comfortable and included, with all their needs being very carefully thought about.

The sessions are always very well put together by a group of kind and caring people (more people like Rachel and Gina, would make this world a better place).

I could see my son’s confidence grow and grow, as each session went on, I can not thank Kool Carers enough, it has been a lifeline for my family.’

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‘It has given my girls a new lease of life. It has helped my children make friends with others who have had the same experiences as them. It has helped lift the negative effects of their roles. It has helped me meet other parents that need the support of their brilliant young carers which helps me understand that I’m not alone. Gina & Rachel help me offload when things get too much and I’m truly grateful. They are my guardian angels always at the end of the phone. Thank you guys so much.’

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‘Kool Carers has been an amazing support not just for Lily, but for myself aswell.  Lily does not have friends that understand her and her home life, but the young carers are amazing and Lily can be herself, whether that means crying, laughing or just sitting there.  There is absolutely no judgment, but 100% support!!!

Rachel and Gina work tirelessly to support each child and their family members.   Each session is packed full of support, care and fun from both Rachel and Gina and I could never thank them enough for everything they do for us.  Lily looks forward to every other Sunday group, now that is something she has never done, something she has never had.

I was a young carer and know just how important it is to have support and understanding.  I grew up with a severely special needs brother, who took up all my parent’s time, so to get the attention I so badly wanted I took the wrong path unfortunately, which tore my family apart, as there was no support outside my family home and I had no friends.

Having no friends and being bullied growing up is hard and some days I did not even want to be alive let alone get out of bed and be a child.  Growing up for myself was very hard and stressful, there were no young carers groups for myself or siblings and I would never want my daughter to feel the same things.

I strongly support Kool Carers, as young carers have the opportunities to do the things children need to do away from being young carers.  I really want people to understand just how important this group is for these children.  I now have friends and so does Lily, something I never thought my daughter would ever have!!  In fact this year, she chose to spend her birthday at Kool Carers with her young carer friends.  I would go as far as to say everyone at Kool Carers are more like a family than friends.’    By Jess Ford

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