Short Break Stories

Renfrewshire Young Carers Asthma/Music Group

A story by No Strings Attached (Scotland)

No Strings Attached (Scotland) has provided young carers in Renfrewshire who have asthma age 9 – 18 to have time out of their caring role and to have fun, meet other carers in a similar situation and learn to play a wind instrument.

What Renfrewshire Young Carers Asthma/Music Group did

We ran a taster session for the young carers where they had the opportunity to meet with both our music teachers who have worked on our previous projects and provide music tuition. The young people had the opportunity to try out instruments at the taster session.

We have since ran weekly music sessions in the evening since January 2014 combining asthma self-management and music education through the performance of wind instruments.

Her mother and sister for whom she cares told us “We both feel that this group has benefited Heeran for her asthma and for social reasons. Since joining this group Heeran has learnt to play a tremendous instrument and her asthma and breathing skills have also seen some good benefits.

Heeran has enjoyed this group, meeting new friends and all the teachers involved in the project have made her feel welcome and comfortable. It's given her something to have for herself outside of her role within our home. Heeran is looking forward to progressing in this group in the future”.

H (NB Some participants have asked to retain their anonymity)

From evaluation interview H enjoyed coming to the group and says it is the only night in the week she gets time off for herself and really enjoys coming, she says it helps get her through the week and cope with her caring responsibilities.

H gets to meet other young people in a similar situation and she enjoys seeing the nurse and music teachers. H has been able to take her flute to school and plays it every day and is taking part in the Christmas school play. Before coming to the group H did not think that people with asthma could do exercise now H has her asthma under good control and can take part in other activities
L: comes to the group with his mum who he cares for and they both have a good time. L says it is nice to come to something with his mum where he does not have to care for her. L loves playing the flute and has recently auditioned for the school band and has successfully been accepted. He feels a lot more confident in himself. Cared for adult is delighted and feels the group has benefited both of them.
Y says it is such good fun and just loves coming along it is so good to get a night off from caring. Y likes to see the nurse as she makes her laugh and the nurse is good fun. Y did not get the opportunity to play a musical instrument at school and can now perform in front of other people. Y loves coming to the group and has met new friends and is enjoying playing the saxophone. She feels her asthma has improved.
H2 is playing the saxophone and meeting new friends. She feels her asthma has improved and can play lots of long notes. H2 wanted to play an instrument at school but had to sit a test and failed. H2 was pleased that she didn’t have to sit a test to take part in the group. She can now read music and is progressing well on her saxophone.

She comes in all weather on public transport as she does not like to miss the music group which she says is good fun and she is pleased to take part. H2 is keen to share her musical skills with other young carers with asthma who may benefit from the group and is willing to be trained in peer support.

What No Strings Attached (Scotland) has learned

One challenge is attendance has not always been brilliant the carers do come but due to their caring roles cannot attend every week. Also, they are unable to inform us in advance if they are unable to come.

We are looking at ways how to best accommodate the young carers if they are unable to come along. The commitment of the adults cared for to the project is huge.
Top tips No Strings Attached (Scotland)'s top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Need to build flexibility into your project when working with young carers
Tip 2:
If you are organising an event involve the clients in the planning don’t assume they wish to take part
Tip 3:
Encourage the young carers to engage with others within their community – we have successfully got some of the young carers who have expressed an interest in being trained in peer support.