In Our Space - The Young Carers Photo Project
The photos attached were taken by young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who perform a significant caring role for a family member at home. After brainstorming with the group and K&C LINk we decided to undertake this photography project entitled, ‘In Our Space’ for K&C Link’s, ‘R U in the Picture’.
Six young carers went away to take pictures of a space or place that was important to them armed only with their mobile phones. Their remit was to capture something of how and where they like to relax in images. The group then came together a few weeks later to share and discuss their images.
Some of the pictures feature friends, demonstrating how these young people relish the time they are able to spend with their peers. The images show creativity and highlight passions and interests like music, photography, art and literature and they highlight the importance of diverse youth services in the borough, where young carers can mix with other young people in a safe space, away from their responsibilities at home.
The Young Carers Group offers this respite time with weekly activities that work towards achieving the Every Child Matters Outcomes as well as being fun. The activities are shaped by the young carers and their input into our service is invaluable. The discussions prompted by these photographs have helped us to create our summer activity program, which includes a young carers BBQ that is open to friends and family and group exercise activities in Hyde Park. We have also put Aundre, a member of the group, in touch with Golborne Youth Centre, which runs a Youth Arts Music Academy. (This was done as a result of discussions around his image.)
Following the completion of the project completed, the NHS K&C has kindly agreed to donate £1,000.00 of photography equipment to The Young Carers Group so they can continue with their creative & innovative work!
Differences in the nation's health revealed
A snapshot of health for each local area comparing key statistics such as life expectancy, deprivation and early deaths from stroke and heart disease has been published today by the Department of Health.
http://www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=P_HEALTH_PROFILES
The health profiles will help local authorities, GPs and health services to target their resources effectively to improve the overall health and wellbeing of those who need it most.
The collated summaries show that there are clear variations in health across the country.
Key findings include:
- Life expectancy for men and women continues to increase.
- Early deaths from heart disease, stroke and cancer continue to fall.
- The highest rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions are found in urban areas of the North East and North West, including Liverpool, Newcastle and Middlesborough.
- There are higher rates of malignant melanoma skin cancer in the South West and South East, including Plymouth, Weymouth and Portland, and Oxfordshire.
Check out how Kensington & Chelsea performs at: http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?QN=HP_RESULTS&GEOGRAPHY=AW
K&C LINk Annual Report 2009/10
K&C LINk would like to sincerely thank you for your contribution to our Annual Report and for your ongoing support. We are now delighted to present you with a copy of our Annual Report 2009/10. Please find details attached of our numerous achievements, successes and good practice case studies from the last twelve months for your perusal.
Should you require any further information please do contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ph: 020 8968 6771.
JOINT DEMENTIA STRATEGY - CAN YOU HELP?
We would like to involve as many carers of people with dementia as possible in the implementation of our new strategy. This will help us to ensure that we get the design, location and publicity of new services right. It will help us to understand why so many people with dementia do not come forward for diagnosis and how we can increase understanding of the condition and how to seek help.
Dementia is a condition affecting the brain and can lead to loss of memory and changes to personality. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease and it mostly affects people over 65.
The strategy aims
- to increase the identification and early diagnosis of people with dementia;
- to improve support to carers and people close to someone with dementia;
- to provide people with dementia and their carers with more choice and control over their care and support.
A new memory assessment service is being planned to help with diagnosis. It will be supported by a single care pathway which can be followed by GPs, professionals and the public as they contact services for help. We want to raise awareness of dementia to improve understanding of the condition and combat the stigma which is often a deterrent to seeking help.
Finally we want to raise knowledge of the condition amongst the health and social care workforce to improve their response to people dementia.
If you are interested in helping us please contact:
Chris Hume, Project Manager, Dementia, NHS Kensington and Chelsea This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 07532 101586
Kensington & Chelsea Local Involvement Network (K&C LINk) Recruitment
We are currently advertising for a part-time (average of 21 hours per week) LINk Development Officer at the K&C LINk Office in Ladbroke Grove. For further information and to apply online please see: https://recruit.hestia.org/wrl/pages/vacancy.jsf?search=2
Starting salary: £15,663 per annum (inc. London weighting)
Pension: 5% of basic salary
Holidays: 105 hours per year, plus 33.6 public holidays
The closing date is June 13th and interviews will be held on June 18th 2010.
Should you require any further information, please contact Paula Murphy, the K&C LINk Co-ordinator on ph: 020 8968 6771 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it