Recently, the Carers WA team went to Port Kennedy Primary School and visited their student-led young carer peer support group and participated in a papermaking workshop.
Papermaking is a simple process where opportunities to learn valuable life lessons are crafted through transforming unwanted stuff into paper. Papermaking teaches kids that mistakes are okay and can always be turned into something great, and not everything has to be perfect. It also teaches them that it is great to have fun and it makes you feel good, especially with friends.
The activity was especially valuable as it was attended by young carers from the school. A young carer is someone aged between 8 and 25 who cares for a loved one or someone they know. A young carer may provide care for a parent or guardian, a sibling, or friend. Young carers often care for someone with disability, mental health challenges, substance dependency, long term health condition, or who is frail aged.
The young carer peer support groups provide the opportunity for students to share experiences and knowledge, as well as being there for support for other young carers. Peer support groups encourage and empower young people to build relationships and seek helping behaviours. The groups also allow young people to connect with people in similar situations, learn from peers through their experiences, and form personal connections to relieve carer stress.
For anyone interested in registering with the Carers WA Young Carer team or finding out more information, visit the carers WA website or email ycreferrals@carerswa.asn.au.
Papermaking is easy and anyone can do it! To learn more about papermaking and instructions about how to do it, follow the link below.
