Noticeboard
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Are you a young carer or young adult carer? Do you think there needs to be more support for young carers? If YES – then why not add your name to a letter from young carers and young adult carers to the Prime Minister asking for him to show his support – https://carers.org/young-carers-alliance/pm-open-letter-october-2023”
The deadline for adding signatures to the letter is Sunday 10th November.
Tell us which images you'd like on the WF-I-Can van!
Image 1 – 6 young people in a line, sitting and standing
Image 2 – characters around rainbow slinky
Image 3- characters standing with pronouns on t-shirts
Image 4 – 4 characters standing around rainbow doorway arch
Image 5 – young people inside a circle, with a rainbow flag behind
Image 6 – young people standing in a group chatting
Image 7- Illustration of x3 young people with buildings in Wakefield dotted behind
The Big Ambition – a national survey aims to hear from children (0-18 years old) across England on what they think is important!
Parents are also being encouraged to complete the survey for those who may need additional support or on behalf of younger children (under 6) to make sure the needs of early years children are represented too.
The survey asks for information about the person responding, the child’s age, and what school they attend. There is also an option to complete an easy-read version with larger text. The questions are slightly different depending on the age of the child answering, but, everyone is asked what they think the Government should do to make children’s lives better.
It’s important to remember that the survey is not a test and that there are no right or wrong answers.
The Project Hope scheme will provide support for young people leaving care to find employment, and help them develop the skills and experience they need for careers in the health and care sector.
Click here to find more information, application form and date to submit it.
Strut Safe is a free, volunteer-operated and non-judgemental support line
who stay on the phone with you until you arrive safely at your destination.
Operates Fridays & Saturdays 19:00 – 03:00 and Sundays 19:00-01:00.
For further information see https://strutsafe.org/
Check out the new Staying Safe section in the Over 13’s section of WF-I-Can.
Full of top tips on how to stay safe in lots of different situations and useful links!
Click here if you’re over 13 years old and want to learn more!
Are you creative? Do you enjoy culture and creativity? Would you like to help other people to take part in and benefit from creativity? If the answers to those questions are yes…become a SPARK Arts Ambassador!
What is SPARK?
SPARK is a partnership of arts and cultural* organisations in the Wakefield District who have come together to inspire young people in Wakefield to take part, enjoy and benefit from rich arts and cultural experiences across the district. They are a champion for arts, culture and creativity. They remove barriers and raise awareness to make these opportunities accessible within and outside of formal education.
It includes the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The Music Service, Libraries, Wakefield Museums and Castles, Theatre Royal Wakefield, Long Division, Wakefield College, and Yew Tree Youth Theatre.
Who are SPARK Arts Ambassadors?
Arts Ambassadors are young people from across the Wakefield District aged 16 – 25 years old, who are interested in arts and culture and want to shape the cultural and arts offer as part of a new youth panel. This panel needs to be diverse and represent the whole of the Wakefield District.
Download the Role Description Word Document here.
How to find out more
Link up with us on social media – Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
Message us on any of them or email sarah@yew-tree.com for more information about becoming an arts and culture champion.
“It’s an opportunity to transform you into the person you’re aiming to become with your limitless creativity.” – Wakefield College Student
On Sunday 23 April there will be a national UK Emergency Alert test. 
This new Emergency Alert system is being rolled out by the government and will notify all phones with an alert sound – including when they are on silent. Victims and survivors who have a secret phone that they may hide from an abusive partner must be informed in order to take action to prevent the phone from activating, like switching it off or putting it on airplane mode.
Please share this message to help inform victims and survivors of the upcoming alert and Refuge have kindly provided a video to inform victims and survivors how to ensure their secret phone does not play the notifying sound and become detected: https://youtu.be/u7jsz8H-muo
For more information and to book courses, visit: About Us – Wakefield Recovery and Wellbeing College (wakefieldrecoverycollege.nhs.uk)
Night OWLS is a confidential support line for children and young people in crisis. Helping them and their parents and carers. 
The service is available 8pm – 8am every day.
To access the service, call this number free 0800 148 8244; text 07984 392700 or chat on www.wynightowls.org.uk.
Night OWLS can help if you:
- are finding it hard to cope with life
- feel like you have nowhere to turn
- are feeling angry, lonely, anxious, or depressed
- are caring for a young person who is struggling with their mental health
- feel confused or find it hard to think straight
- feel unsafe
- feel you can’t go on living
- someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or you are concerned about their emotional wellbeing
- Or simply want to talk either via phone/text or online chat
(Click to enlarge) Sourced from Young Carers Action Day 2023 | Carers Trust
This years’ theme is: ‘Make Time for Young Carers’
“Over the past few months we’ve chatted with hundreds of young carers at festivals in Hampshire, Wales and Scotland. The one issue that kept coming up was just how important their health and wellbeing is to them.
We know it’s easy for young carers to start feeling overwhelmed because of everything they need to do for their caring role on top of all their schoolwork and revising for exams. What young carers told us was that it doesn’t need to be this way. They think the things that would make them feel less overwhelmed, healthier and happier are:
- improved support in schools
- more access to breaks,
- better access to counselling support
- and more financial support “
From carers.org website
Fill in the poll below for Young Carers Action Day!
If you would like to speak to someone about this form, or give more information etc, please contact Safeen at Young Healthwatch: safeen.rehman@healthwatchwakefield.co.uk or call 07885913395
For more information about/ for young carers, visit our ‘Looking After Someone?’ pages:
A Message from Young Healthwatch: Thomas, along with others, recently met the Mayor. We’re happy to say he’s one of our volunteers too.
Here’s what he had to say about the meeting:
“I, along with other members of the WY Youth Collective, Youth Parliament, Young Healthwatch, and other groups from across our region met with the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and her team. We discussed what young people wanted to improve and change, and how we can work together to improve outcomes for young people and increase youth involvement in decision making across the county.
Topics such as crime, safety, violence against women and girls, housing, education, and transport were discussed, with Tracy answering questions from the group. It’s brilliant that we as young people get heard, especially by decision makers and those in the highest levels of
authority. We will continue to work with Tracy and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in the future and have some great ideas for improvement. Watch this space!”
– Thomas Smith, WY Youth Collective Member and Healthwatch Volunteer
If you would like to find out more about volunteering with Healthwatch, whether you are an adult or young person, contact Safeen on 07885 913395 or email safeen.rehman@healthwatchwakefield.co.uk
If you are a young person and want to find out more or give feedback on health and care services, take part in our Young Healthwatch survey here.
Check out our 5 Top Tips this Safer Internet Day:
Click icons to enlarge
Have a go at some staying safe online challenges:
Click icons to enlarge
Read more about staying safe online here
(This will take you to the Over 13’s Staying Safe Online WF-I-Can page)
Useful links:
Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership- Staying Safe Online page
Think U Know- The Internet, Relationships and You (11-18 Years)
Childline: Report a Nude Image Shared Online
6-12th February 2023 is Children’s Mental Health Week! This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Connect’.
For more information and ways to get involved, visit Place2Be’s Website here.
Have a go at the WF-I-Can Children’s Mental Health Week Challenges and send us a photo or scan of anything you create! Your artwork will be showcased in the online gallery.
If you’d like to submit something to the online gallery, please email support@wf-i-can.co.uk
We are looking at recruiting young members here at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services to the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide some medium secure (forensic) services to the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber.
We are conscious that young people need a way to share their views, who are passionate about mental health and learning disability services, treatment and support. Becoming a member enables young people’s voice to be heard where it counts, to share their views, to influence decision making and to also be given the opportunity to be elected as a Governor.
Governors undertake key duties at the Council of Governors meeting and are provided with a mentor from other elected Governors in the Trust.
Young people from the age of 11 years old can become a member and vote and from the age of 16 years old become a Governor. Elections are held annually in January.
We are really excited to grow young people’s voice in the future development and delivery of our services across South West Yorkshire.
This opportunity also gives fantastic insight to young people to understand governance and leadership in the NHS, if they are considering a career with the NHS.
The attachments give more detail about the opportunity and a sign up form.
If you would like to have a further conversation, please reply to the email and one of the team can contact you or arrange for one of our Governor’s to visit your group.
We look forward to hearing from you very soon!
The Involving People Team
Email: InvolvingPeople@swyt.nhs.uk
Click here to download the Election Process PDF
Click here to download the Membership Form PDF
February is LGBT+ History Month
“The LGBT+ History Month 2023 #BehindTheLens celebrates LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens. Directors, cinematographers, screen writers, producers, animators, costume designers, special effects, make up artists, lighting directors, musicians, choreographers and beyond. At a time when LGBT+ lives are in the media we also encourage you to look ‘Behind the Lens’ and listen to LGBT+ peoples’ lived experiences. ”
Visit www.lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk for more information!
Have a go at the Weekly challenge below:
To help create a fact file, visit the BBC Newsround site here: The LGBT icons you need to know about
Taking a nice walk in cold weather with your family, friends or dogs in tow can be really refreshing, but please remember the top safety tips listed below.
- Be aware of any ponds, rivers or lakes that may have frozen over, never attempt to walk on them no matter how solid they may look and teach your children about the dangers of frozen water.
- Do not go on the ice to rescue a dog
- Keep dogs on leads
- Keep back from the edge
- Only walk around well lit areas
- Sturdy shoes or boots with good grips are ideal for walking on paths that may be slippery due to ice.
If you do find yourself or anyone else in danger shout for help and call 999 immediately.
Source: Water Safety page- Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership, accessed on 16/12/2022
Be a part of making @Spectrumcicsh new website work for you!
They’re creating a new sexual health website and want you to hear from you!
Complete their survey here bit.ly/3OzUkeb
If you need someone to talk to during the holiday period, have a look at the list below:
- Samaritans: Telephone 116 123
- Kooth: Provides Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people.
- Childline: Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
- SHOUT: The UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
- Night OWLS: Available 8pm–8am every day for children, young people, parents and carers across West Yorkshire. Call us on: Freephone 0800 1488 244 Text us on: 07984 392700 or talk online on the website.
- Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and REACH Team: Telephone 1977 735865
- Turning Point Talking Therapies: Provide support for anyone over 16 living in Wakefield District.
- Stripes Youth Group: For all LGBTQ+ young people aged 13-19. Meeting every Tuesday evening from 6.30pm-9.00pm in a central Wakefield location. Telephone 01924 302665 or email youthwork@wakefield.gov.uk
- Wakefield Safe Space: Provides support for anyone in crisis (16+). Phone, Zoom and Face to face support. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6pm-12am- Caduceus House, WF1 4JZ
Phone: 07776 962815 - Social Care Direct: Telephone 0345 850 3503
IN CRISIS? Click here if you are Under 13
IN CRISIS? Click here if you are Over 13
DIAL 999 OR GO TO A&E IF YOU NEED URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION
Click here to read the Managing Difficult Feelings Booklet
Useful links:
Need to visit a Warm Space? There are places in your local community where people can gather for free in a warm, safe, welcoming place and enjoy a hot drink or food and some company.
What to Do if You Find Christmas Difficult | Blog | YoungMinds
Christmas | Childline– “Christmas can be an exciting time when people get together to celebrate. But it can also be a difficult time. If you’re feeling lonely, worried or stressed, we’ve got tips and advice that can help you”
How To Cope With Christmas As An LGBTQIA+ Person | The Mix
Struggling with grief? Have a look at some services that can support you! I’m Under 13 I’m Over 13Struggling after having COVID? Check out our Post COVID Recovery section!
Things to do over the holidays:
Have a go at some Weekly Challenges, you can even submit your designs to be featured in the online galleries! I’m Under 13 I’m Over 13
Download the WF-I-Can Looking After Yourself During the Holidays Printout
Free things to do this winter | 31-Day Winter Challenge | The Mix
Have a go at some of our Gentle Exercise Videos
Watch our Dance Videos or have a go at recording a podcast to feature on WF-I-Can
Free games:
A little reminder to #bekind
Visit the Weekly Challenge page to submit your Weekly Budget/ Shopping List:
It’s essential that people’s voices are heard across the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and locally to help plan and deliver health and care services for all communities.
Find out how you can make a difference by helping to shape a new people’s panel and having your say!
For a paper copy and alternative formats or to be taken through the questions over the phone, contact: Michelle.Poucher@healthwatchwakefield.co.uk or call 07542 850 661
Visit the official Black History Month website here.
Click here to read about what Black History Month is and why it is important (CBBC Newsround).
Click here to discover Black History Month with clips, quizzes and stories from across CBBC
Use the submission form on the Weekly Challenge pages to tell us three things that you have learnt/ found out. You could even get creative and make a poster!
Weekly Challenge page- Under 13
Weekly Challenge page- Over 13
Head over to the weekly challenge page to check out our Podcast recommendations:
– I’m over 13
– I’m under 13
We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and send our condolences to the Royal Family.
This loss will be felt by many- far and wide, each in our way.
It is important to talk to people and reach out if you are struggling!
Support is available:
If you’d like support or to talk to someone about grief:
The NYA have started a Book of Condolences, if you’d like to share a message with the Royal Family or share your memories of Queen Elizabeth II, click here to view and add a message.
For more information, visit: What can we help you with today? – Wakefield Recovery and Wellbeing College (wakefieldrecoverycollege.nhs.uk)
Results Day can be a stressful day, we’ve put together some useful links and resources to help you navigate the day and what to expect.
Our local youth and support workers are available to talk on our online Drop-In and Chat service on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9 pm.
Outside these hours, please leave us a message.
Click here to visit the Drop-In and Chat.
Listen to your body during periods of hot weather. If you or a loved one have the following symptoms:
⚠️ Dizzy
⚠️ Weak
⚠️ Anxious
⚠️ A feeling of intense thirst
⚠️ Painful muscle spasms
Move immediately to a cool place and drink plenty of cool drinks 🧃
🚨 If symptoms persist, seek medical attention as soon as possible 👉www.nhs.uk/heatwave
(Click to enlarge posters)
It is important that we know how to stay safe near open water, as there are often lots of hidden dangers.
Watch a short video about staying safe near water here!
Click here to visit Canal and River Trust Water Safety Challenges
Click here to read more about Summer Water Safety on the Royal Life Saving Society’s website
Do you, or someone you know, want to get involved?
Get in touch on 01924 316946 or at wakefielddiscoverycollege@swyt.nhs.uk.
“We want to make the Wakefield District an even better place to live, work and grow. We’re doing that by having a Big Conversation, so we can listen to everyone and work together.
The Big Conversation is about all of us being a part of shaping the future of Wakefield.
Our trained Conversationalists will have positive conversations with people across the district to find out what matters to them. We will look at the information given to us and identify the things that really matter to you and your neighbours. This will shape our work in the future. “
For more information and to have your say, visit www.bigconversationwakefield.co.uk
The stress of exams can be overwhelming and can affect our mental and emotional wellbeing.
We’ve put together some links with top tips and advice on navigating exam stress.
Exam Stress | How To Deal with Exam Stress | YoungMinds
Exams: how to deal with exam stress – BBC Bitesize
Exam Stress | What To Do When Stressed For Exams | The Mix
Exam stress and pressure | Childline
Navigating exam season resources – Place2Be
Revision | On My Mind | Anna Freud Centre
Our Youth Workers are available to chat Tuesday and Thursday 7-9pm on our online Drop In and Chat Service:
I’m Under 13: Need a chat? – WF-I-Can
I’m Over 13: Need a chat? – WF-I-Can
Do you or someone you know have a learning disability?
Help us showcase what living with this is like through ART.
We’ll then showcase it in an online exhibition during #LearningDisabilityWeek .
Find out more and submit at 👉 www.wakefield.gov.uk/LDWeek2022
World Environment Day on 5 June is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually since 1973, the event has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach, with millions of people from across the world engaging to protect the planet. This year, #WorldEnvironmentDay 2022 is hosted by Sweden. “Only One Earth” is the campaign slogan, with the focus on “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature”.
For more information visit: World Environment Day
We’d like to know what you can do to help the environment? What small changes can you make to help planet Earth? #OnlyOneEarth
Upload your creations and ideas to the gallery using the submission form on the Challenge of the Day pages:
This year’s theme is loneliness. We’d like you to fill in and decorate the Five Ways to Well-being Hand to show steps we can take to address the impact of loneliness on our well-being.
Head over to the Challenge of the Day pages to have a go and submit your creation!
Calling all space cadets (aged 7+) – are you interested in a VR mission to the moon?
Join #ZeroGravityLunarLibrary as part of #WordFest #MakeWordsCount coming to a Wakefield Library near you. Numbers are limited so please call the relevant library to secure your place on a mission.
For more details: https://zerogravitylunarlibrary.co.uk/
Wakefield College, Margaret Street, WF1 2DH
Join an event celebrating young people’s voices and help to influence change and enhance the experience of growing up in the Wakefield district. There’ll be updates on the progress made, opportunities to share new ideas and feedback to professionals who can help make a difference – as well as activities, workshops, and performances to enjoy!
Take part and tell Young Healthwatch what you think in the survey here www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/YoungHealthwatch22
This year’s theme is ‘Invest in our Planet’
Head over to the Weekly Challenge pages to take part in our Environmental Challenge:
📢📢 YOUNG PEOPLE OF WAKEFIELD 📢📢
We’re launching a young people’s recovery college & need to know which name our 14-26 year old local people prefer. Let us know by voting on our poll on Twitter or on our Facebook page.
(Not 14-26? Why not ask someone who is & vote for them!)
Tuesday 8th March is International Women’s Day! A day to celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality.
Check out internationalwomensday.com for more information.
Take part in some activities from internationalwomensday.com on our Challenge of the Day pages- remember to submit anything you create!
Over 13 Challenges and Gallery
Under 13 Challenges and Gallery
Thursday 3rd March is World Book Day!
You can find out more at worldbookday.com
To celebrate, we’d like you to have a go at our book-themed Challenges this week!
Take part in our challenges, write us a book review, short story or draw your favourite character from a book.
Send your submissions to us using the submission form to be showcased on the online gallery!
Click here to go to Under 13 Challenges
Click here to go to Over 13 Challenges
Community interviewers/ Peer researchers wanted!
Could you be a Community Peer Researcher?
Are you involved in your local community or part of a community group?
Do you like talking to people?
Do you want to help us, a local independent grant making organisation, find out what is needed?
Do you want to make sure local voices are heard?
Then become a Community Peer Researcher….
Where?
In various areas around Wakefield district we want people to have conversations with local people about:
- what would make a difference and improve their health and wellbeing
- how charities and community groups can help meet these needs
Why?
This is a chance to speak up
We will provide training and support to help you do this work
- Training will be 3 hours face to face wherever possible and paid
- Each researcher will do 10 interviews of about 20-30 minutes
- In total this will be about 15 hours of your time
How will I be paid?
£10 per hour plus expenses tor travel and phone use, this can be paid in vouchers if you prefer.
What is a local independent grant making organisation?
It is a charity that is based in Wakefield and has worked in the Wakefield district for many years using our funds to help local people and groups. We are called Wakefield District Health and Community Support or WDHCS for short. We think it’s time to do things a bit differently but we need help so we running this project.
Complete the Children’s Plan survey to express your thoughts on the suggested priorities of the 2022-2025 Children’s Plan:
https://bit.ly/3I3XCSq
The deadline for the survey is Friday 4 February 2022
Newground Together are hosting a brand new FREE online event with motivational speakers from ‘Aim A Little Higher’.
Do you know anybody aged 16+ that needs a ‘January Blues’ Boost? Invite them along to kickstart 2022 with a positive outlook and a whole lot of motivation. The motivational speakers will discuss topics such as mental health, positive mindset and setting personal goals to be the best you can this year and beyond.
The event will be taking place on the Monday 31st January 17:00-18:30 via Microsoft Teams and be hosted by our very own Employment and Skills Team. Showcasing their free upcoming opportunities for young people in your local area, our team will be sharing their training courses and qualifications that could help break down the barriers to employment for you or somebody you know!
If you are interested in signing up yourself or any of your contacts, please email gemma.huskins@newground.co.uk with Full Name and Email Address of the people you would like to enrol.
We look forward to welcoming you to our ‘Aim A Little Higher Event’ soon!
Check out the Weekly Challenge page for some activities to do over the Christmas holidays!
Although for many people the return to a more normal life following the pandemic was welcome, others remain cautious about getting out and about again and may experience anxiety. TAKE5 is a simple idea to provide a calm and quiet place where people can just take some time if they need to. The purpose is not to provide professional support, just a welcoming environment and a listening ear.
At present, all council run libraries, museums, leisure centres and cafes are all TAKE5 champions but are hoping to expand the scheme if people find it beneficial. People can identify TAKE5 venues by the special window stickers and staff badges. Many community Police Officers are also signed up to the initiative too and the public can identify them by their TAKE5 lanyard.
You can find a full list of locations who are part of the initiative here: www.wakefield.gov.uk/TAKE5
We’re sorry but today’s Drop In session in the Ridings Shopping Centre is cancelled due to staff sickness. We will be running the next session Wednesday 27th October (1-4PM).
In the meantime, you can email support@wf-i-can.co.uk or visit our online Drop In on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9PM.
We’re here to chat Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9pm or email support@wf-i-can.co.uk any time.
Click here to check out some of our self-help resources and top tips!
Tuesday 7th September is Youth Mental Health Day!
It is a chance for you to reflect on the last year, and come up with a goal to help you #StrideForward towards positive mental health💜
Get Involved: http://ymhd.co.uk
#YMHD 7th September☀️
