TEAM YAC

LUNCH CLUB

AUG 10

Our first activities for young adult carers (YACs) of the summer were two lunch clubs. In Crewe we met YAC’s from Cheshire East for a meal at Gourmet4, and our Chester group met for lunch at Hickory’s Smokehouse. With many new faces joining us on YAC activities for the summer it gave the groups an opportunity to meet each other with the older YAC’s sharing favourite past YAC events and trips. After lunch the groups were given some time to go shopping in smaller groups. It was fantastic to see the regular group members welcoming the new YAC’s to the groups and friendships starting to develop.

AUG 2

CADBURY’S WORLD

Who wouldn’t love a visit to a chocolate factory? When we started planning the summer programme, a visit to Cadbury World was a popular request from the YAC’s. An important feature of our YAC trips is travelling as much as possible by public transport, giving the YAC’s an opportunity to learn how to purchase tickets and navigate the rail and bus networks with staff on hand to help them gain confidence to travel in their own friendship groups. The Cheshire West group had an early start to meet up with staff at Chester Railway Station and travel by train to Crewe where they met up with the YAC’s from Cheshire East. The whole group then continued the rail journey, transferring at Birmingham New Street for a train to Bournville. After a short walk to Cadbury World the YAC’s enjoyed the factory tour which included a chocolate demonstration, a chance to write and draw with chocolate, chocolate tasting, 4D cinema and of course a very important trip to the shop!

SC2 RHYL

AUG 3

Our Cheshire East YAC’s travelled from Crewe to Chester by rail where they met up with YAC’s from Cheshire West to continue the journey to a very sunny Rhyl. Our first stop was the newly built SC2 on the promenade where YAC’s had the chance to take part in Ninja TAG. This indoor, multi-level assault course is a cross between Total Wipeout, and Ninja Warrior and our young carers took on the challenge without hesitation! Testing their skills, fitness, and bravery, they attempted to hit all the targets and did an amazing job, even if they did come out tired and sweaty! There were definitely some very keen competitors and they all enjoyed comparing their scores on the big board at the end! After all their hard work, we grabbed some chips and drinks and sat on the promenade to enjoy them together with the group from North Wales Young Carers. In the afternoon the YAC’s split into smaller groups for free time, with the beautiful sunny weather, many of the groups chose to spend time on the beach, some even went for a paddle!

YOUNG ADULT CARERS

AUG 4

INNOSPEC IN TO WORK

We are very grateful for the staff at Innospec Ltd for arranging two fabulous into work visits for YAC’s at their Ellesmere Port plant. On both days five young carers accompanied by a member of staff were given a very warm welcome to Innospec and after a short safety briefing everyone was treated to breakfast. Everyone was issued with PPE to wear for the behind-the-scenes tour which included a fire safety session where everyone was able to put out fires using the different types of fire extinguishers. After an amazing lunch everyone learnt about clothing and masks worn to keep workers safe whilst working with chemicals and some first aid. At the end of the visit the young carers were given goody bags and presented with a cheque to provide each of the participants with a gift voucher for a shop of their choice.

SHOPPING AND CINEMA AT CHESHIRE OAKS

AUG 6

One of our most popular trips of the summer programme for YAC’s was a trip to Cheshire Oaks. Our Cheshire East YAC’s navigated the transport system, meeting at Crewe Railway Station and then taking the bus from Chester Railway Station to Cheshire Oaks. The YAC’s enjoyed watching Jungle Cruise at the Vue Cinema, a fabulous Mexican lunch at Chiquito’s and time around the shops!

AUG 10 MANCHESTER

Our day trip to Manchester was one of the biggest trips of the YAC programme. Travelling by train from Crewe and Chester the two groups met up at Manchester Piccadilly Station and walked to the Arndale Centre. YAC’s were able to spend time exploring the cultural sights and shopping areas, spend time socialising in the sun at Piccadilly Gardens and enjoy tasting lots of different cuisines at Mackie Mayor, a cosmopolitan food hall in an 1858 Grade II listed market building, on the edge of Manchester’s famous Northern Quarter.

TEAM YAC

GO APE DELAMERE

AUG 13

Young carers travelled once again by train to Delamere Forest, to take part in the Go Ape Delamere Tree Top Adventure Plus Challenge. After a safety briefing, the young carers split into groups to begin their tree top adventure by taking part in the Adventure loop and zip line. Once they had practiced their tree top skills it was time to hit the heights of the Adventure Plus challenge course with more challenging activities and an even bigger zip line to the finish! After completing the course everyone enjoyed a picnic and then some free time exploring the tracks and trails through the forest before heading home.

AUG

FRODSHAM WATERSPORTS

17

On a slightly damp and drizzly day our YAC groups travelled once again by train for an active day out with Frodsham Kayaking. Arriving at Frodsham Railway Station the YAC’s walked through the town to the kayaking centre on the River Weaver. The YAC’s were able to try single and double kayaks and SUP paddle boards. The double kayaks certainly required some great teamwork to paddle along the river and it was great to see those who had kayaked before helping those who were less experienced. By the end to the session everyone had increased their confidence, the rain didn’t spoil the fun as most ended up in the river either by capsizing the kayaks or jumping in!

ESCAPE ROOM 16 AUG

Young carers from Cheshire East travelled by train to Chester to meet up with the young carers from Cheshire West for a visit to Escapism Chester. The young carers took part in a variety of different escape rooms in small groups where their task was to hunt for clues and crack the codes and puzzles. Each escape room had a different theme and despite lots of surprises and screams, all but one team managed to beat the clock and escape before the hour ran out. After enjoying lunch together, the young carers enjoyed some free time around Chester’s shops and meeting up for delicious ice-creams at ‘Snugbury’s on the River’ before travelling home.