Southport Kinship Carers

12/09/2024

Are you a kinship carer? A kinship carer is someone who is raising a relative’s or friend’s child because they are not able to.

We have started a group for kinship carers in Sefton and the surrounding areas to come together. This is a chance to meet, listen, share and support one another.

Our next group meets (Face to Face) on Wednesday 18 September at 10am -12 noon @ The Family Life Centre Ash Street, Southport, PR8 6JH or online on Monday 23 September 8pm -9pm - see below for other dates

You will also be able to access training, advice and more in depth support through the Kinship website at https://compass.kinship.org.uk/get-advice-and-information/

The group is supported by the charity Kinship and is independent of the local authority and social services.

The volunteer coordinator is Keith Whittaker who is a Special Guardian. If you would like more information or want to attend, you can contact Keith on email [email protected] or phone 07486 668870

Face to Face Peer to Peer Groups
Where:
The Family Life Centre Ash Street, Southport, PR8 6JH

When:
Usually the third Wednesday of the month apart from when there are school holidays

Wednesday 18 September 2024 10am -12 noon Walnut Room
Wednesday 16 October 2024 10am -12 noon Walnut Room
Wednesday 20 November 2024 10am -12 noon Walnut Room
Wednesday 11 December 2024 10am -12 noon Walnut Room

Online meeting dates
This is a time for all kinship carers in Sefton and surrounding areas to talk together. It is particularly aimed at those who cannot come to face to face meetings but is open to any kinship carers.

The people taking part will have the time to talk about things they are facing; ask questions; get some wisdom from others who may have faced similar situations and be encouraged.

When:
Usually the fourth Monday of the month apart from when there are school holidays

Monday 23 September 2024 8pm - 9pm
Monday 14 October 2024 8pm - 9pm
Monday 25 November 2024 8pm - 9pm
Monday 9 December 2024 8pm - 9pm
Please contact Keith if you want to take part in these meetings and we will send details

18/07/2024

The Campaign Champions Hub provides with training and support to enable them to get more involved in campaigning and take their campaigning to the next level. 💪

Most importantly, it brings together campaigners across England and Wales to share their successes, help each other overcome challenges, and build community as they fight for change. ✨

Join us at our next online training session where we will be explaining to campaigners how to use storytelling as a campaigning tool. We've seen how powerful it is when kinship carers feel confident to share their stories, where it's safe and feels right for them to do so. 📖

Everyone is welcome. You don’t need to have done any campaigning in the past to come along and find out what it’s all about. We're here to support to grow their confidence in campaigning and make change for more . 💛

Register for the session here: https://loom.ly/3xjmeg0 🔗

12/07/2024

Have you heard about our national online peer support group running next week?

With the summer holidays starting soon, we know this can be a challenging time for kinship carers. We are running some national peer support groups to make sure that kinship carers feel connected.

If you live in England and Wales, you are welcome to join us online to share, listen and have a chat.

Sign up here: https://compass.kinship.org.uk/groups/national-peer-support-group/

If you can’t make it this time, don’t worry, we have more national peer support groups running in August. Keep an eye on our socials for updates. ☀️

12/07/2024

A good start. Let’s see if it moves to action

We're delighted to share that in her first visit since becoming Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State , MP chose to meet with ten kinship carers from London. On only her second day in her new role, the Education Minister learned about the challenges face accessing adequate support.

It was a moving and heartfelt discussion, in which kinship carers told her about the urgent need for greater financial support for kinship families like theirs. They also spoke about the emotional needs of the children in their care, many of whom have experienced early childhood trauma, and the lack of therapeutic support accessible to those ‘kinship children’.

Reflecting on the meeting, the Minister said: “Opportunity starts with a loving, secure home and kinship carers play a crucial role by being the constant support in young people’s otherwise turbulent lives.

“It was a pleasure to meet some amazing people who care for vulnerable children for my first official Ministerial visit today to hear about the challenges they face. They often don’t get the recognition or support they deserve.

“I will use my 15 years of frontline social care experience to be a champion for kinship carers and their children - making sure every one of them gets the opportunity they deserve. Today was a brilliant first step.”

It's brilliant to see kinship carers being prioritised by the new Minister for her first official visit. This is testament to the power of all the kinship carers who have been fighting for recognition for years.

The Minister appeared moved by what she heard and the kinship carers who attended the meeting were grateful for her empathy and encouraged by her willingness to listen.

We look forward to working closely with the Minister to ensure that get the financial, emotional and practical support they need and deserve from this new Government.

05/07/2024

The votes are in and we have a new Government.

A new Government with a unique opportunity to change the future for thousands of children in kinship care.

A new Government which must give kinship carers the support they need – equal to foster carers and adopters.

A new Government which needs to step up, as kinship families have for the children in their care.

In its manifesto, the The Labour Party and Keir Starmer said that “every child should have a loving, secure home” and committed to supporting children “including through kinship, foster care, and adoption”.

But words are not actions.

Together, we’ll use the Government’s manifesto promises to make sure real change happens for kinship families.

Together, we’ll make sure our newly-elected MPs – both new and old – know what it‘s like to be a kinship carer.

Together, we’ll not rest until all kinship families get the financial, practical and emotional support they need and deserve. 💛

01/07/2024

Another sunny day means another campaigner has spotted an MP candidate and powerfully used their five minutes to advocate for and the children they are caring for! 👏

Keith, who is also a Kinship support group leader, met with Labour Candidate this week to discuss what support the next Government needs to put in place to support .

Reflecting on the meeting, Keith said: "If elected, I encouraged Patrick to advocate for and make improvements within the first 100 days of Government. This is entirely possible if [...] there is constant financial provision, training and support, additional educational provision and paid leave as happens with adoption. We agreed to meet if he is successful in becoming an MP and having a greater understanding of this issues, and more importantly taking decisive action.”

Use our constituency map, which includes statistics, and share this information with your MP candidates on your phone if you spot them out and about: https://loom.ly/F3MAY_Y 🗺️

We’re campaigning for MP candidates from all political parties to understand kinship care and support the campaign.

29/06/2024

22/06/2024

22/06/2024

Are you a kinship carer? A kinship carer is someone who is raising a relative’s or friend’s child because they are not able to.

We have started a group for kinship carers in Sefton and the surrounding areas to come together. This is a chance to meet, listen, share and support one another.

Our next group meets (Face to Face) on Wednesday 3rd July 2024 10am -12 noon 10am -12 noon @ The Family Life Centre Ash Street, Southport, PR8 6JH or online on Monday 8th July 2024 8pm -9pm - see below for other dates

You will also be able to access training, advice and more in depth support through the Kinship website at https://compass.kinship.org.uk/get-advice-and-information/

The group is supported by the charity Kinship and is independent of the local authority and social services.

The volunteer coordinator is Keith Whittaker who is a Special Guardian. If you would like more information or want to attend, you can contact Keith on email [email protected] or phone 07486 668870

Face to Face Peer to Peer Groups

Where: The Family Life Centre Ash Street, Southport, PR8 6JH

When:

Wednesday 3rd July 10am -12 noon Walnut Room
No meeting in August
Wednesday 18 September 10am -12 noon Walnut Room

Online meeting dates
This is a time for all kinship carers in Sefton and surrounding areas to talk together. It is particularly aimed at those who cannot come to face to face meetings but is open to any kinship carers.

The people taking part will have the time to talk about things they are facing; ask questions; get some wisdom from others who may have faced similar situations and be encouraged.

Monday 8th July 8pm -9pm
No meeting in August
Monday 23 September 8pm - 9pm

Please contact Keith if you want to take part in these meetings and we will send details

21/06/2024

Kinship care can be difficult. It's totally normal to have questions and things you'd like to learn more about. Our online workshop next week is the perfect opportunity to find out more.

Our ‘Introduction to Kinship Care’ workshop is open to all kinship carers, regardless of where you are on your kinship care journey. You'll come away equipped with information on kinship care, the support available to you, and feel the warmth of our Kinship Community.

We're hosting two sessions at different times, one in the daytime and another in the evening. Hopefully one of those times works for you, as we'd love to have you join us. 😊

Wednesday 26 June, 1pm - 2.30pm. Book your place: https://loom.ly/mPdMeyM
Thursday 27 June, 7.30pm - 9pm. Book your place: https://loom.ly/jYZXsa0

Both workshops will be led by Bennet, Erika and Julie, our friendly facilitators, who will bring their wealth of knowledge and lived experience to this engaging and interactive session. 💛

26/04/2024

Are you a kinship carer? A kinship carer is someone who is raising a relative’s or friend’s child because they are not able to.

We have started a group for kinship carers in Sefton and the surrounding areas to come together. This is a chance to meet, listen, share and support one another.

Our next group meets (Face to Face) on Wednesday 1st May 2024 10am -12 noon 10am -12 noon @ The Family Life Centre Ash Street, Southport, PR8 6JH or online on Monday 13th May 2024 8pm -9pm - see below for other dates

You will also be able to access training, advice and more in depth support through the Kinship website at https://compass.kinship.org.uk/get-advice-and-information/

The group is supported by the charity Kinship and is independent of the local authority and social services.

The volunteer coordinator is Keith Whittaker who is a Special Guardian. If you would like more information or want to attend, you can contact Keith on email [email protected] or phone 07486 668870

Face to Face Peer to Peer Groups

Where: The Family Life Centre Ash Street, Southport, PR8 6JH

When:

Wednesday 1st May 2024 10am -12 noon Walnut Room
Wednesday 5th June 2024 10am -12 noon Walnut Room
Wednesday 3rd July 2024 10am -12 noon Walnut Room

Online meeting dates
This is a time for all kinship carers in Sefton and surrounding areas to talk together. It is particularly aimed at those who cannot come to face to face meetings but is open to any kinship carers.

The people taking part will have the time to talk about things they are facing; ask questions; get some wisdom from others who may have faced similar situations and be encouraged.

Monday 13th May 2024 8pm -9pm
Monday 10th June 2024 8pm -9pm
Monday 8thJuly 2024 8pm -9pm

Please contact Keith if you want to take part in these meetings and we will send details

14/04/2024

Do you have a friend, family member or colleague who is raising the child of a relative or family friend because the child's parent is no longer able to? Have you checked in on them recently? 💛

Research shows that often feel isolated and unsupported when they take on the care of a child. They are often navigating huge changes to their lives.

We know that many people follow us on social media because they want to support friends, colleagues and family members who are going through this experience. So we will be sharing more top tips for supporting in the future! ✊

If you're a , what other suggestions do you have for those wanting to stand alongside you on your journey?