Session 2

Time: 20–30 minutes, depending on the methods used.

Having looked at the carers’ timelines in the course, it may be interesting for learners to draw their own timeline. They should reflect on this before the group activity.

What they add to their timeline is up to them – they can focus on just their career, or they can incorporate their childhood and family life if they choose, their whole lives or a specific period. It may be that some learners will identify that they have a caring role themselves and will want to explore this. It’s entirely up to them what they choose to represent.

The timeline can be done is a number of ways. You can work as a group or allow learners to choose the method they prefer:

• Using a pen and paper, position positive experiences higher than negative ones to create a simple timeline (there is a template in the Reflection Log).
• On a computer, using Microsoft Word or a similar programme, the timeline can be represented as a diagram.
• Another option is to use bubbl.us, which is free online software, to create images.
• Think of creative ways to visualise the timelines, getting as artistic as you want. Some learners have produced timelines using Celtic strapwork, with the low points going under the high points to create a pattern

Maximise

Figure 8

If learners are working online, remind them to save and/or print out their timelines as they will be referring to them in other activities.

Before the session: If you are working offline, you will need paper, pens of different colours, and templates if you are using them. If working online make sure there is access to a printer.

Time: 10–15 minutes

Figure 9 Lesley

This is can be a reflection or a discussion activity. Having listened to Lesley talk about what she has learned from her caring experience, learners can discuss the following:

• Was some of Lesley’s learning unexpected?
• Did she learn from difficult times as well as good ones?
• Did Lesley learn things while caring that will be useful in studying and employment?

You can prompt the discussion, picking up on some key words from Lesley’s story, such as: resilient, managing her time, budgeting, managing stress, capable of learning, coping with difficult situations, communication skills.

Time: 10–15 minutes

This is an optional activity. Having looked at carers’ life experiences, learners may find it interesting to try this activity for themselves, revisiting their timeline and thinking about what skills and qualities they have learned from their experiences.

They can add their learning points to their timeline using a different colour. Remind them to save their timeline if doing this activity online.

Learners may prefer to do this activity alone, but you can invite them to share and discuss their learning points with the group if they feel comfortable doing this.