Amazing Futures

Here are some tips if you want to keep a pet guinea pig!

Make sure guinea pigs have the right food and hay

Don’t over feed them with food or treats

Change their water every day

Clean out your guinea pig’s cage or hutch once or twice a week

Always ensure there is hay accessible at all times for the guinea pigs to access when needed

Change food every day

Always ensure you keep their nails clipped to prevent sores and infection

Give plenty of cuddles to the guinea pigs, in order for them to get used to you and your scent

Ensure they have a big enough cage with plenty of space for them to run around

When buying new guinea pigs to add to the family, supervise the introductions at all times, before putting them together

Here are some photos of my guinea pigs:

How did you hear about Amazing Futures?

My Mum spoke to Sue around the time the idea for a young people’s project was mentioned. I joined Amazing Futures when it started in March 2017.

How have you found volunteering for Amazing Futures?

It has been really interesting to work with lots of young people over the years. I like setting up for the board games group. I have been going to the running group for a year now and have been going to the walking one for about a year. I enjoy going to all of them.

I did a travel training course through Grace Eyre and Amaze which helped me to learn how to travel independently. I also did a cooking course and made lots of different things like soups, cakes and stews.

I learnt about the National Citizen Service (NCS) through Amaze which was great. The trip had 4 teams of 15 people each. We went to the Isle of Wight for 5 days and took part in activities like kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling and fencing. Our community project was painting the fence at the Brighton Youth Centre.

What are some of your favourite moments from the Amazing Futures sessions?

I like playing the different board games. Some of my favourite ones are ‘Monopoly’ and ‘P for Pizza’.

What skills did you develop through the project?

I learnt how to be helpful, funny, kind and how to work hard.

What are you looking forward to doing after Amazing Futures?

I am looking forward to working at Speak Out by helping with the drop-ins and workshops. I am also excited to volunteer more for Amaze.

Is there anything you would like to say to the young people from Amaze?

Thank you very much for helping me at Amaze!

Over the past few months we’ve been super busy with our Big Days Out at Amazing Futures East Sussex.

Whenever we consulted with young people about our Amazing Futures offer, you always said you would love to go on trips and visit new places with people who make you feel safe and understand you. So we supported Billie, one of our volunteers and our new sessional worker, to apply for funding for a series of day trips. We were thrilled when we were successful in receiving funding for the project from East Sussex County Council!

Since then we’ve been bowling, fought laser quest battles, explored the gardens at Paradise Park in Newhaven, learned loads at Herstmonceux Science Centre, and headed into Brighton to play indoors mini-golf and spend a day at the aquarium. We even had a big day trip out to London to visit the Natural History Museum and meet the dinosaurs!

The trips have been hugely successful and popular with the young people, who’ve had a blast getting out and about trying new things and seeing the sights:

Many thanks to East Sussex County Council for making this possible!

“I had a great time at Sealife and I’d love for us to meet up again soon.”

“Felt well supported and Chione our group leader let us choose where to go. We loved seeing everything up close.”

“Favourite part of the museum was the baronic skeleton. 10 out of 10 enjoyed the day.”

“I had an amazing day thank you very much”