Train Forwards is born out of the
work from Don’t Tone Alone CIC a former social enterprise that spent over a
decade working with unpaid carers across the UK.
The company ran projects that affected the lives of approximately
3,000 people each year. The organisation's greatest impact came from its 6-week training courses that enabled
unpaid carers to live happier and healthier lives.
Taking the best of the training, we licence this to carers organisations to create an impact for young carers while generating an income.
The training gives young carers the life skills they need to look after their health and wellbeing, while dealing with the additional responsibilities of caring roles.
Training programmes run for 6-weeks, perfect for half-terms. There are three core training programmes:
Young carers need to be able to look after themselves - nutrition being an essential to this. This programme gives young people the tools to make healthy choices and how to create a balanced diet when this is down to them.
Improved Attitudes to Food
Improved Confidence on Healthy Choices
Increased Peer Support
Being able to self-manage mental wellbeing is important, especially when faced with uncertainty. This course gives young carers the tools to regulate their emotions, effectively manage stressful circumstances, and become more resilient. These techniques create an impact for a lifetime.
Improved Mental Wellbeing
Improved ability to manage stress
Improved emotional regulation
With the additional responsibilities of caring, young carers have higher risks of social isolation and loneliness. Their world is more likely to shrink and confidence affected. This course enables young carers to build self-confidence and energises them to explore their interests.
Improved Self-Confidence
Improved resilience
Increased Motivation
Christopher Robertson has a master’s degree in Health and Community, and a background in setting up successful health enhancing initiatives for population groups. With advanced diplomas in nutrition & weight management, exercise, behaviour change, mental health, and qualified to assess social impact and social return on investment (SROI), he has developed training programmes to make an impact. Most importantly, however, he has been an unpaid carer and has over 20 years’ experience working with unpaid carers, disabled people, mental health, and those with long-term health conditions.