November 21, 2016

Young Carer Patrick Scoops Award honouring our founder Eleanor Rathbone!

We went to meet Patrick, one of our Sefton Young Carers after he won the Eleanor Rathbone award at the 2016 Believe Awards.

So where were the awards held?
The awards were at the Shankly Hotel in Liverpool city Centre, on the highest floor. It was supported by Radio City and Cash for kids but mainly Ykids. It was a really fun night the only problem was it was a Tuesday so I was really tired at school the next day!

How did you feel when you found out you’d been nominated?
I felt very happy when I got nominated and even happier when I won! I was so happy that I was crying, one of my other friends from school was nominated in another category, and he won too so it was a good day for our school.

Who do you care for?
I care for two people. Firstly my sister Mollie; she is kind of the reason I got my award. I help her by talking to her, speaking for her, playing with her, helping her with homework, and she seems to settle more when I am around, it helps to give my mum and dad a break. The other person I care for is my Nan. She is disabled and she needs help getting out the car and things, so I just walk with her and help to make sure she’s okay.

What Impact does Sefton Young Carers have on your life?
Sefton Young Carers has had a big impact on my life because they help me and give me a bit of a break from caring for my sister. It’s a great group, especially because I’m someone who can make friends with anyone and everyone is really nice and the activities are fun.

What is your favourite activity then?
My favourite activity is the football and it was great when the Everton coaches came in to coach us, but there was only one problem… I’m a Liverpool supporter!

I heard you help secure the funding for a Young Careers DVD?
Yes! Me and two other Young Carers secured the funding for the young carers animation DVD. It was like being on X factor we had to go in front of a panel and show a PowerPoint, then we went out, had the nervous wait just like the X factor and then got the good news! We were jumping for joy and then went to KFC… that was my favourite part.

I also heard you are doing some fundraising of your own soon?
I want to, yes. I want to do a charity night and I am currently planning all by myself. It will have a raffle and tickets that will be £1. I’m just getting a little bit of help off other people and giving any money I make half each to Y kids and PSS.

And finally do you have anything to say to everyone at PSS?
Not much really, just keep going don’t look back! If challenges lie ahead just step over it, they say it’s one big hurdle just try to jump over it. Don’t stop trying, just try and try until you can do it.

Patrick was nominated for the Eleanor Rathbone Award by Nuala Ward in our Sefton Young Carers Service:

Patrick has been a Young Carer for his sister who has additional needs. Patrick helps his family in a number of ways, one of which is sitting with his sister until she falls asleep. Patrick selflessly does this to give his mum a break and to reassure his sister who will not settle down without Patrick.

Patrick looks out for Mollie in school, helping with her with homework often dealing with challenging behavior which impacts on Patrick not being able to have friends round to his house. The practical and emotional support Patrick gives is invaluable to his mum and dad in their care for Mollie.

Patrick has been coming to Young Carer’s over the past 12 months and is a valued member of the group. Patrick is always positive and has made a significant contribution to the service helping other children and young people in similar situations.

Despite facing troubles of his own Patrick has been instrumental in ensuring other young carer’s voices are heard in Sefton, attending and informing the local council about how services could be improved to include young career’s health and wellbeing.

Young Carer’s wellbeing again has been at the forefront when in October 2015 Patrick attended the youth led bid and was successful in securing funding to raise wider awareness of Young Carers in Merseyside. Patrick is currently working to create a DVD showing the challenges young carer’s face. The DVD will be part of Patrick’s legacy to children and young people who care for family members as they often remain hidden.

I believe Patrick will be fondly remembered by teachers and pupils at his school, the young carer’s and other groups for the passion and commitment he shows when delivering presentations about his caring role and how he has overcome his own challenges whist making life better for his own family and other young carer’s.