What Does Adulting Look Like as a Young Adult Carer? The Highs, The Lows & How Caring Responsibilities Change Your Twenties

Adulting After Care: Who Has Your Back? with Josh MacAlister MP & Cathy Ashley from Family Rights Group

In this episode we’re talking about what life looks like for young people leaving care and navigating adulthood, often without the safety nets many of us take for granted. After being invited to the Department for Education to learn about the government’s new Enduring Relationships Programme, I wanted to find out more about what happens when you leave the care system at 18 and how do you cope with adulting when you’re doing so much of it alone. I speak to care leavers Hannah and Mackenzie about their experiences of leaving care and how programmes like Lifelong Links have helped them reconnect with important people in their lives. You’ll also hear from Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, and Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive of Family Rights Group, about why long-term relationships, stable housing and practical support matter so much for care experienced young people. It’s honest, it’s emotional and it’s very eye-opening.  ✨ In this episode, we chat about: * What it’s like to leave care at 18 * How Lifelong Links helps care leavers reconnect with family and friends * The government’s new Enduring Relationships Programme * Why relationships and practical support both matter for long-term outcomes 💬 About Lifelong Links & Family Rights Group Lifelong Links is a family finding programme developed by Family Rights Group. It helps children in care and care leavers build lasting support networks by reconnecting them with relatives, friends, neighbours, teachers and other trusted adults who can offer lifelong support. Family Rights Group is a charity working to improve the lives of children who live in or are at risk of entering the care system by helping families stay safely connected wherever possible. Website: https://frg.org.uk [https://frg.org.uk/] Here are some other useful support & resources for care experienced young people: Become (charity for children in care and care leavers) Support, advice and campaigning for children in care and young care leavers. https://www.becomecharity.org.uk [https://www.becomecharity.org.uk/] Care Leaver Covenant A national organisation providing opportunities, discounts and practical help for care leavers. https://mycovenant.org.uk [https://mycovenant.org.uk/] Drive Forward Foundation Employment support, coaching and opportunities for care experienced young people. https://driveforwardfoundation.org [https://driveforwardfoundation.org/] Barnardo’s Support services for children, young people and care leavers across the UK. https://www.barnardos.org.uk [https://www.barnardos.org.uk/] Information from Department for Education  About review into deaths of care leavers  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-examine-deaths-of-vulnerable-care-leavers [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-examine-deaths-of-vulnerable-care-leavers]\ About Enduring Relationships programme  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enduring-relationships-for-care-experienced-children/enduring-relationships [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enduring-relationships-for-care-experienced-children/enduring-relationships] Centrepoint Support for young people facing homelessness or housing insecurity. https://centrepoint.org.uk [https://centrepoint.org.uk/] Shelter Housing advice and homelessness support. https://www.shelter.org.uk [https://www.shelter.org.uk/] Mind Mental health support and information. https://www.mind.org.uk [https://www.mind.org.uk/] YoungMinds Mental health resources for young people. https://www.youngminds.org.uk [https://www.youngminds.org.uk/] 📲 Want to get involved? Got a Quarter Life Question you’d love to hear answered on the pod? Slide into my DMs over on Instagram @gracemcintosh1 [https://www.instagram.com/gracemcintosh1] or TikTok  @gracemcintosh_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@gracemcintosh_?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] - I’d love to hear from you. ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a 5-star review - it really helps more people find us and keeps the QLQ conversation going. Thanks so much for listening - and see you next week! Grace x ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What Does Adulting Look Like as a Young Adult Carer? The Highs, The Lows & How Caring Responsibilities Change Your Twenties

I’m sure we can all agree that adulting can feel overwhelming at the best of times. You're trying to navigate work, relationships, friendships, finances, mental health and all the other responsibilities that come with adulthood. But what happens when you're also helping care for someone you love? To mark National Carers Week, I’m chatting with Hannah who’s a young adult carer and knows the unique challenges, responsibilities and emotions that can come with balancing caring duties alongside your own life. From feelings of guilt and frustration to family communication and finding support, this conversation offers an honest insight into a role that often goes unseen. ✨ In this episode, we chat about: * What it means to be a young adult carer * How caring responsibilities can impact your twenties * The emotional realities of caring, including guilt, resentment and burnout * Why communication and support are so important * Advice for other young adult carers who may be struggling 💬 About Carers UK Carers UK is a leading charity supporting unpaid carers across the UK. They provide practical advice, information, campaigns and support services for people who look after a family member, partner or friend who couldn't cope without their help due to illness, disability, mental health challenges or addiction. The charity works to ensure carers are recognised, valued and supported, while also providing resources to help carers manage the challenges they face in everyday life. Website: https://www.carersuk.org [https://www.carersuk.org/] Here’s some other useful support & resources for Young Adult Carers:  Carers Trust: https://carers.org [https://carers.org/] Mobilise (online support community for carers): https://www.mobiliseonline.co.uk/young-adult-carers [https://www.mobiliseonline.co.uk/young-adult-carers] NHS Support for Carers: https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers [https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers] YoungMinds Mental Health Support: https://www.youngminds.org.uk [https://www.youngminds.org.uk/] Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk [https://www.mind.org.uk/] If you're a Young Adult Carer in Manchester aged between 16-25 you can take part in this survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScN6LqozERDnRZeUOK8VJ-4LlISt4krCSq2AUhQT3sytlTFKw/viewform 📲 Want to get involved? Got a Quarter Life Question you’d love to hear answered on the pod? Slide into my DMs over on Instagram @gracemcintosh1 [https://www.instagram.com/gracemcintosh1] or TikTok @gracemcintosh_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@gracemcintosh_?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] - I’d love to hear from you. ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a 5-star review - it really helps more people find us and keeps the conversation going. Thanks so much for listening - and see you next week! Grace x ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How can I travel on a budget? Budget-Friendly Travel Tips: Flights, Hotels & Food Hacks with Will & Eve @tighttravellers

Travelling the world can often feel completely out of reach when you’re trying to save money, pay rent and keep up with the rising cost of living, but budget travel is far more realistic than you might think. This week I’m joined by Will and Eve, a couple who quit their jobs six months ago to travel the world on a budget with a one-way ticket and a mission to go as far as their savings will take them.  From overnight buses and budget hostels to money-saving hacks and travelling slower, they share how to travel on budget without it feeling restrictive.  ✨ In this episode, we chat about: The best ways to save money travelling in the UK How to save money on accommodation Best way to save money on flights and trains Tips for anyone wanting to travel without spending a fortune 💬 More about Will & Eve: “Ey up! We’re Will and Eve. Travel lovers and money saving enthusiasts. We’ve packed in our jobs and are currently travelling on a one way ticket, going as far as the brass’ll stretch. Which knowing us, should last us yonks! Follow along to learn how we explore the world while being as tight as a ducks a***.” INSTAGRAM: @tighttravellers [https://www.instagram.com/tight.travellers?igsh=MTZqbGh0aWgwYmQ1OA==] TIKTOK: @tighttravellers [https://www.tiktok.com/@tighttravellers?_r=1&_t=ZN-96TYHStRTok] BLOG: https://tighttravellers.co.uk/ [https://tighttravellers.co.uk/] 📲 Want to get involved? Got a Quarter Life Question you’d love to hear answered on the pod? Slide into my DMs over on Instagram @gracemcintosh1 [https://www.instagram.com/gracemcintosh1] or TikTok @gracemcintosh_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@gracemcintosh_?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] - I’d love to hear from you. ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a 5-star review - it helps more people find the show, and it genuinely means the world. Thanks for listening, Grace x ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Everything About Politics We Should Have Learned in School with Georgia Richardson from Girls Who Talk Politics

Politics shouldn’t feel confusing, intimidating, or completely inaccessible, yet so many of us young adults feel disengaged or shut out from issues that affect our everyday life. Well not anymore. This week I’m joined by Georgia Richardson, Head of Communications at Girls Who Talk Politics, to chat about everything about politics we probably should have learned in school. From elections to voting, the Green Party to Reform UK, we’re stripping politics right back to basics while having a debrief about last week’s election results.  ✨ In this episode, we chat about: * The politics basics many of us were never taught in school * Why it’s important to vote * How political decisions affect your everyday life * The significance of the most recent set of UK elections  * How to avoid misinformation online  💬 More about Georgia & Girls Who Talk Politics: Georgia is the Head of Communications for Girls Who Talk Politics, a grassroots educational platform dedicated to making politics more accessible for young women. GWTP has grown from an Instagram page to a multiplatform community, hosting sold out parliamentary events and interviewing key political figures including the Prime Minister, among others. The platform is all volunteer run, with every member of the team also working fulltime. For her day job, Georgia works in Public Affairs in Westminster and also volunteers with the Adult Literacy Trust. Instagram: @girlswhotalkpolitics [https://www.instagram.com/girlswhotalkpolitics/] TikTok: @girlswhotalkpolitics [https://www.tiktok.com/@girlswhotalkpolitics?_r=1&_t=ZN-96IvG69K5Y3] LinkedIn: Girls Who Talk Politics [https://www.linkedin.com/company/girls-who-talk-politics/] 📲 Want to get involved? Got a Quarter Life Question you’d love to hear answered on the pod? Slide into my DMs over on Instagram @gracemcintosh1 [https://www.instagram.com/gracemcintosh1] or TikTok  @gracemcintosh_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@gracemcintosh_?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] - I’d love to hear from you. \ ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a 5-star review if you got a minute spare, it helps a lot.  Thanks so much for listening and I’ll catch you next week! Grace x ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How To Become A Full-Time House Sitter? House Sitting, Freelancing & a Low-Cost Lifestyle with Emma Truscott

What if you could cut your biggest expense, work from anywhere, and build a lifestyle centred around freedom and flexibility? This week on the Quarter-Life Questions podcast, I’m joined by Emma Truscott, a full-time house sitter and freelancer who’s done exactly that. Instead of paying rent, Emma travels between homes, caring for pets and properties while working remotely and embracing a lifestyle built around change. We're finding out how she got started, what house sitting actually looks like day to day, and the realities of living life without a permanent base. ✨ In this episode, we chat about: * What full-time house-sitting looks like in practice * How to build trust with homeowners when you’re just starting out * Emma’s favourite and most memorable house-sitting experiences * Practical advice for anyone thinking of giving house sitting a go 💬 More about Emma: Emma Truscott is a full-time house sitter and freelancer who has built a unique, low-expense lifestyle centred around travel, flexibility, and freedom. By moving between homes and caring for pets, she’s been able to significantly reduce her living costs while working remotely and exploring new places. Emma embraces change as part of her everyday life and is passionate about showing others that there are alternative ways to live beyond the traditional 9-5 and fixed-home model. Instagram: @wheres_ems [https://www.instagram.com/wheres_ems?igsh=dG1vcXFkZDJkMXFo] TikTok: @wheres_ems [https://www.tiktok.com/@wheres_ems?_r=1&_t=ZN-965dd8Opi10] Substack: @wheresems [https://substack.com/@wheresems] 📲 Want to get involved? Got a Quarter Life Question you’d love to hear answered on the pod? Slide into my DMs over on Instagram @gracemcintosh1 [https://www.instagram.com/gracemcintosh1] or TikTok  @gracemcintosh_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@gracemcintosh_?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] - I’d love to hear from you.  ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a 5-star review if you got a minute spare, it helps a lot.  Thanks so much for listening and I’ll catch you next week! Grace x ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.