Young Carer Clouds
"I didn't really consider myself as a young carer. I just kind of considered what I was doing as normal and just family looking after family."
Friendships and connections form swiftly when we engage in touch.. a hug; a hand on the shoulder, or the warmth of another hand in ours. Considering the influence of social media on young people, some of whom are already isolated due to their caring responsibilities, there has never been a more critical time to cultivate bonds with others.
We approach our young carer Clouds with a focus on education, support and overall wellbeing, utilising hand and arm massage as a tool to aid them in maintaining good health and minimising emotional stress throughout their journey. By doing so, we aim to prevent illnesses, promote longevity and foster a healthy mindset.
Hand and Arm Massage
Essential Oils and Aromas
Music and Sound
Features
Interactive and Engaging
Uplifting and fun, we encourage participation and welcome feedback, as this helps determine the direction the Cloud session will take, as well as addressing age-related concerns.
Educational
We help our young carers build their own Caring Cloud with therapeutic tools, along with simple, gentle and repetitive hand and arm massage, designed specifically as a communication technique, With meditative strokes to promote mindfulness, grounding and peace, the massage is designed to be a positive interactive experience.
Balancing Care and Time
We bring together young carers who share similar experiences and provide a supportive and safe environment for respite and relaxation. Clouds are carefully timed to alleviate concerns about extended times away from study and other duties.
Nurturing
We facilitate a compassionate environment for all our young carers, combining our proficiency in using touch to promote togetherness and alleviate feelings of isolation. This creates a supportive space, not only imparting valuable tools but encouraging confidence and creativity.
Benefits
"The communications we transmit through touch constitute the most powerful means of establishing human relationships..." -Ashley Montagu
The tools we provide are meant to be taken into the world by the young carers themselves, enabling them to share not only with those they care for but also with their families, friends and communities. These tools serve as valuable resources for enhancing their relationships and making a positive impact on their surroundings.
Positive Effects on Mental Health
The use of our tools by a young carer, will increase levels of oxytocin in the blood, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, regulating blood pressure; thereby alleviating stress and frustration.
Building Communities
Sharing the tools of a young carer's Cloud can have positive and far-reaching effects on an entire support network; strengthening bonds and connections within the immediate family and its surrounding community; bringing people together and supporting those who feel isolated.
Building Resilience
Research has shown that 38% of young carers have a mental health condition*, yet do not want to be a burden on others. Sharing the tools in their Cloud regularly with members of their family and friendship groups can help build their resilience to stress and strengthen their immune system, while promoting authentic conversations in a calm space.
Promote Kindness
When Young Carers share the tools from their Clouds with their peers, they will be promoting feelings of gratitute and acts of kindness to their existing friendship groups. This will create larger Caring Clouds, bringing more young people together, fostering positive interactions within their community.
*Figures provided by Mentally Healthy Schools UK
