Uni programme helps young carers to aim high
Cameron Bayley,young carer from Winslow. 120103M-C350
A YOUNG carer from Winslow has won a place on a project run by Oxford University.
Cameron Bayley, aged 15, is one of only 15 Year 10 youngsters from across the whole of Bucks, Berks and Oxon to gain a place on the Compass Young Carers Programme.
The programme, which is only in its second year, recognises that he extra responsibility young carers have to shoulder often impacts on their educational attainment and makes them less likely to move on to higher education.
The course involves the youngsters attending eight full-day workshops at the University of Oxford.
Sessions include confidence building and assertiveness training as well as workshops on progression routes to higher education.
Cameron, who helps look after his autistic brother, Andrew, while his mum Zana is at work, makes his own way to Oxford and has so far attended sessions at Jesus College and University College.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed the whole experience really. I think it’s going to help prepare me for later on in life.
“We get told things about university life, revision and studying and what choices to make.”
He also receives e-mentoring from a volunteer Classics student.
Cameron added: “I think it’s good to just get out the house for a bit and have some time away from my brother and also find out information about uni.”
Cameron, who attends the Royal Latin School, wants to take Maths, Economics, Physics and Further Maths at A-level, with a view to doing Maths or Economics at university.
Doing the course has made him consider applying to Oxford.
He said: “You can see a lot of people there are quite normal. It’s helped me to sort my goals and helped me know what changes I need to make and what I need to do to get there.”
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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