I first started working with Young Carers Project in 2011 when I began volunteering for the organisation. In August 2015 a position became available within the team and was succsessful in securing the role of The Young Carers Project Support Worker. In October 2016 I undertook the role of Young Carers Activity Officer and have since progressed to the Young Carers Program Lead.
My job involves a lot of different aspects. I manage a team of fantastic workers that help to provide a robust respite activity program as well as school and family support to the Young Carers and families we work with.
The respite opportunities we provide enable the Young Carers the chance to be a child, have some time out away from their caring responsibilities and to have fun. The aim of the respite programme is to allow the children the opportunity to forget, even if just for a moment, about the caring responsibilities they have at home and to make new friends.
I am so unbelievably proud to be part of such an amazing team and often cannot believe that this is my job. I work with such inspirational Young Carers that deserve the upmost recognition for the amazing work they do.
Jayne Plummer - TEN STYC Activities Project Officer
At the age of 7 my life changed overnight and I became a young carer for my mum who has a genetic condition which meant I had to become an adult without being able to become a child first. I was very isolated, no social life and had little confidence in myself.
However in September 2009, South Tyneside Young Carers changed my life for the better. I felt like I wasn’t the only one and I became more confident in myself and I made friends who were able to relate to me. At the age of 16 I wanted to give back to the organisation that literally became my second family and helped me over the years so I volunteered and built relationships with the children as I knew what they were all going through.
In March 2019, I am now a Young Carers Activities Project Officer where my job consists of different aspects. It will involve the respite program, working with schools and families. I am so happy and grateful that now my job is to change and help other young carers and families, and to be able to know that I’ve made a difference.
Tracey Arthur - TEN STYC Family Support Officer
Hello, I'm Tracey. My role within the service is admin and support, so as well as working hard behind the scenes doing admin, I do school drop ins from time to time and love helping out at the after school clubs. I love catching up with all of our young carers and helping them out with whatever they need.
I absolutely love working with the team, we are like one little family. Young Carers is a truely fantastic charity that I am very proud to be a part of and my role gives me a lot of job satisfaction. I look forward to all of our future plans, and I am totally commited to making this service the best for the families we support.
Rachel Lumley - TEN STYC Activities Project Officer
Hi everyone I’m Rachel, I first joined the STYC team back in September 2019 as the homework club leader, I loved it so much that they cant get rid of me and I’ve since joined the team permanently to help plan some amazing activities programmes, events and lots more!
From leaving university in 2009 I begun my teaching career over in America teaching disadvantaged students and summer school groups before heading home and commencing my 7 year teaching career here in the North East. I was very lucky to move quickly from a classroom teacher to year group leader, head of department and then assistant head of faculty. I put this down to my leadership skills or as my husband would say ‘being bossy.’ I loved my time teaching but something was missing! I left teaching to establish my first business Katie’s Garden where I got to do all the best bits of teaching minus all the bad parts! Katie’s garden has since franchised and grown into a creative family events and programme provider spanning across the North East, and that’s how I met STYC. On a visit to our Sunderland store I was introduced to the team and children and the rest is History.
I joined you all back in September as homework club lead where I can plan lots of exciting homework club activities and help you all with your school work. From there I came on board and I'm now part of the team helping plan all your activities and events.
I cant wait to get to work with all our amazing young carers and families and help grow our amazing charity.
Katherine Whale - TEN STYC Activities Project Officer
Hello, I am the newest member of this amazing service.
Before joining the team in October 2022, I was a sport and dance coach for an educational company that worked in many different primary schools in the area. I have trained in dance most of my life and is a huge passion of mine. From my own experience and from coaching in schools I have learned how important it can be to try something new, whether that be physical, social, or mental challenges. And that the benefits for well-being are huge. This is why I Iove my job as activities officer. To be part of a respite service for people who need a break from responsibilities, to help build new friendships and try new hobbies, is something I am really proud of.
I am looking forward to getting to know the families more and help towards the growth of this service.
