National Care Leavers’ Week

We had a brilliant National Care Leavers week in October. Here’s a flavour of what happened:

Devon care leaver Sophie Easterbrook and her carer Mandy Plumridge appeared on Spotlight News – Mandy and Sophie were filmed by BBC Spotlight talking about Staying Put, and how it helped Sophie as she moved on from being in care. We have had a lot of positive comments from people that have seen it, especially about how well they both came over. Well done!

Devon care leavers and staff did a presentation to the All Party Parliamentary Group at the Houses of Parliament, London – Mandy Plumridge, Sophie Easterbrook, Nick Tyrell and Operations Manager Ian Stewart-Watson went to speak at a meeting that included MPs from the main parties, policy officers and a lot of young people.

They were able to share the positive things we do in Devon such as the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, the various outdoor activity groups set up by fostering, the drama work with Exeter University, About Us magazine, The Lounge website, the children in care and care leavers packs, and Staying Put arrangements. The reception they got was very positive, and it was recognised that we offer an impressive range of activities – a lot of young people said that their local authority did not provide these. In the discussion that followed it became clear that a lot of local authorities were struggling to meet their responsibilities towards children in care and care leavers. I think we came away with the view that while we have not got it all right in Devon, we have got a lot of good things to be proud of.

The Balloon Launch on 27 October at St Luke’s School – This is the first time Devon has tried such an event and everybody who was there enjoyed themselves. Over 25 young people filled out a consultation paper and we will circulate their views shortly. Some of the hopes, aspirations and messages from care attached to the balloons were:

• To successfully achieve in university and my chosen career.
• To win the lottery – more than once!
• To be a builder or go into the military.
• One day I’m going to join the Navy and explore the world.
• My wish is for everyone to treat each other how they’d like to be treated.
• To be close to my sister and be successful in the life ahead of me, as well as keeping on the straight path.
• To get out of hospital, get rich, be an artist, become a carer and help children that have come from a bad background.
• I live in my own flat.
• I am an A* student.
• I am more confident at college.
• I am at university studying law and sociology.
• Being in care has made me achieve better things.
• I am going to university to better myself
• The best thing about being in care is about the support I get for my education.
• I have been involved in the Children in Care Council
• I have been at college for three years.
• I did a presentation for school.
• I started college.
• I moved into independent accommodation.
• I found out who I really am.
• Leaving care made me want to change stuff.
• Hopefully I will be a football player when I grow up.
• I have a degree in teaching.
• I gave birth to my first baby, a beautiful girl.
• My care experience has made me stronger to succeed.
• I want to join the army or become a fireman.

As a result of this event, our young people have been invited to speak at a forthcoming full council meeting. It is going to be very helpful to give our councilors some positive messages about our care and care leaver’s service.

We also have some workers from the national Who Cares? Trust coming to Devon in March 2012 to interview young people for their magazine, and to lead a workshop to help our young people develop media skills. We will report on this in About Us summer 2012.