|
Young People's EXTRA Issue 01 Summer 2022 |
|
|
|
|
Hi there. This is Issue 01 of the Young People's Extra. This newsletter is for children and young people who are adopted or live with Special Guardians. You are reading this because your grown up(s) want you to feel connected to a community of young people who understand you.
Each issue we will share news from the Young People's Group and the Children's Group and celebrate your successes. We will also share cool stuff that your friends think you will like.
This is a space for you to have a voice and so if you have a story to share, a question to ask, a picture, poem or painting to show off please send it to us or ask a grown up to at: sgo@buckinghamshire.gov.uk OR adoption@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
|
|
Got something to share? We want to hear from you!
|
|
|
|
New date announced for 7-11s group
|
The next group is Wednesday 26th October 2022 in Aston Clinton for adopted children. Are you adopted and aged between 7 and 11? Then this group is for you! We meet 3 times per year and usually we have around 8-10 children in each group. We always have space for new members who will receive a very warm welcome. We do lots of different things such as: - painting - crafts - games- parachute fun- sports The aim of the group is to have fun and make friends. Interested? - quick - go tell your grown up!**We tried to run a group for children under a special guardianship order but did not have enough interest. If you are living with a special guardian and would like to attend a group like this, ask them to let us know. Grownups please email adoption@buckinghamshire.gov.uk to book a space for your child.
|
New date announced for the Young People's Group
|
|
The next group is Saturday 1st October 2022 in Aston Clinton for adopted young people. Are you adopted and aged 12 -18? Then this is your group! The YPG is a chance for you to meet other young people who understand you and discuss things like relationships, mental health and share experiences. Most importantly, its about having fun! What our young people say about the group: "I enjoyed the group. Everyone is so friendly and trustworthy. I want to come back next time for definite"
"very fun, and feels like a safe space to open up about adoption related things" "I liked the Oreos and the activities - especially the painting" Are you interested? Go and have a chat with your parents/carers and ask them to email us at adoption@buckinghamshire.gov.uk We tried to run a group for young people under a special guardianship order but did not have enough interest. If you are living with a special guardian and would like to attend a group like this, ask them to let us know.
|
😂Bad Joke Box😂 Q:Why was the maths book sad? A: It had a lot of problems.
|
We know that lots of you have pets and we know how much they can mean to you. Each newsletter we would like to feature YOUR PETS. So write in, send a pic and tell us why they are the BEST. Don't have a pet yet? That's okay - why not tell us what your dream pet would be and what you might name them! Pictures and photos welcome.
|
These guinea pigs are lovable, friendly and great for calming down. They love to be stroked and cuddled but they do poop a bit! Thanks to C, age 16 for permission to share.
|
Did you know that stick insects hatch out of eggs? This young person shared photos of the egg and the hours-old stick insect. Thanks so much to L, age 13 and T, age 8 for sharing.
|
Finally, check out these gorgeous kitties! Apollo and Lunar like nothing more than to snuggle up together.Thanks so much to J age 7 for sharing.
|
Focus: Thinking about school
|
Tips for coping with peer pressure |
Taken, and abridged from Young Minds blog: Real stories. Full article can be read here: Real Stories On Mental Health From Young People | YoungMinds
If you are a young person who has experienced peer pressure, you are certainly not alone. These days, it often feels like we cannot escape it. From my own experience, I have seen how peer pressure affects people at school, college, university and beyond into adult life.
When I was at school, I struggled to shake the overwhelming feeling that I was somehow lagging behind everyone else. I could not understand it. I liked my friends and I enjoyed socialising, but I often felt like I was still missing out. I remember being so wrapped up in the idea that I was somehow falling short because I was not exactly like them. I did not realise how peer pressure was affecting me, but it was affecting me in a number of ways - low mood, tearfulness, changes in behaviour, just to name a few.
Now aged 20, I am still learning how to manage pressure from my peers. I wanted to share some of the lessons I have learnt along the way, hoping that you might use these tips if you ever feel this way yourself.
Stay True to your Values
Remember what is important to you. For example, if you don’t smoke, own that. Sometimes when we experience pressure to be liked, we can lose sight of what truly matters. Stay confident about your choices, what you will put up with and make sure you prioritise your own needs. Your priority should always be liking yourself first.
Find your group
It is natural for people to change and for peer groups to change too. If you are honest with yourself, the person you were in primary school is probably not the same person you were in secondary school. Do not feel obliged to stay friends with the same people if they no longer make you feel comfortable. There will be people out there who get you - even if you have not found them yet.
The escape plan
Often, I feel more confident going out somewhere when I know I have an escape plan. I know that sounds dramatic but hear me out. Having an escape plan was a total game-changer for me. When I was younger, my friend and I came up with a secret code to use when we were going out. For example, if I ever felt uncomfortable at a party, I would send my friend a text with our special emoji in. That emoji would signal that I wanted to leave, and we could head off. This was my discrete way to get out of an awkward situation without making a scene - our subtle escape plan. Having a pre-planned excuse (even if it is completely made up) can help you sneak away from uncomfortable situations.
Find positive coping mechanisms
Discover some ways to lower your anxiety or nerves surrounding peer pressure. Write those worries down in a notebook, practise simple relaxation and mindfulness, or speak to someone you trust about how you are feeling - you would be surprised by how many people probably feel a similar way to you.
It can be easy to get lost in a world where we are trying to keep up with everyone around us – take it from someone who knows. To be honest, peer pressure is not something we can simply escape from. In reality, it is something we learn to manage rather than avoid. If you can learn just a few small but effective ways to handle peer pressure then you will be in a much better place to deal with those tricky situations that life might throw at you.
Stay confident in who you are – the only person you should strive to impress is you. You got this.
Rose, age 20.
|
😂Bad Joke Box😂 Q: Why is 6 afraid of 7? A: Because 7 ate 9
|
Do you ever feel like stuff is just getting too busy, too noisy, too many worries? Try this simple trick to chill yourself out. Get comfy and find:
5 things you can see 4 things you can touch 3 things you can hear 2 things you can smell 1 thing you can taste
|
Why not create yourself a calm box this summer? These are fantastic ways of making yourself feel calm and happy again and they can look cool too! You might want to include:
- a favourite snack - a fidget toy - play dough - puzzle - colouring book and pencils - a good book - a face mask - lip balm - a fan - bubbles
If you start feeling stressed or anxious, you will be thanking your summer self for creating this! And if you are happy to share, send photos of your box. We love photos.
|
We all love the squiggle game and want to celebrate some of those incredible squiggle fixes that you guys come up with.
Not played before? Simply find a friend or family member, ask them to make a squiggle and let your imagination do the rest. Thanks to T, age 7 for this excellent squiggle fix. |
😂Bad Joke Box😂 Q: Why can't you give Elsa a balloon? A: Because she'll let it go!
|
|
Have you seen the #LetGirlsPlay campaign. We hope you have been inspired by England's Lionesses to challenge stereotypes. If you are interested in football (girls and boys) then remember that, we at Bucks, work with Wycombe Wanderers Sports and Education Trust to run football coaching sessions each year. If you want to find out more, ask your grown up to email us at adoption@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or sgo@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
|
These are the movies you have told us you love. Got a favourite to share? Then email us and tell us why you love it and we can feature in the next issue.
|
Thanks for reading. You are doing great.
|
|
|
|
You received this email because you subscribed to our list. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Buckinghamshire Council The Gateway, Gatehouse Road Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP19 8FF United Kingdom
|
|
|
|