City celebrates young care leavers with month of activities

The City of Wolverhampton Council is celebrating the achievements of young care leavers as it marks National Care Leavers Month, which is now underway.

The council works with young people in care to help them make the move into independent living, and to take advantage of the education, employment and training opportunities that are available to them.

And young people who have either recently moved out of care, or will shortly be doing so, will be taking part in a wide range of activities during National Care Leavers Month to highlight their progress and celebrate their successes.

Highlights include a trip to London to see the Phantom of the Opera, workshops with Beatsabar and Wolverhampton Art Gallery, multi-sports at WV Active and high ropes at Challenge Academy, as well as sessions with senior leaders.

There will be another 'Changing Rooms'-style challenge with young people working with Wolverhampton Homes and the Supported Accommodation Team to makeover two flats.

And the atrium at the Civic Centre will be lit blue as part of a national 'light up' from 24-28 November, to showcase the council's commitment to supporting care leavers as their Corporate Parents.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "Previously a week-long celebration, the whole of November is now dedicated to highlighting the achievements of care experienced individuals.

"Our Reach Leaving Care Team have put together an exciting programme of supportive and inclusive activities for all our young people who either have, or are, making the transition from care to independent living, ensuring they are fully supported and celebrated at this important time so that their first steps into adulthood are the best they can be.

"But the month is more than a celebration of our amazing care experienced individuals from the city – it's an opportunity for us to amplify their voices, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and encourage positive change."

National Care Leavers Month seeks to highlight the needs of care leavers and encourages the agencies responsible for looking after them to work in a coordinated and effective way. This year's theme, ‘Rising as Me – overcoming challenges, transforming and finding your identity’, will run through all the month's activities.

Wolverhampton's Local Offer for care leavers aged between 16 and 25 provides information about a wide range of services which could help young care leavers prepare for adult life. It includes details of support which they are entitled to by law, as well as additional services that the council has been able to secure with the help of partner organisations. For more information, please visit http://www.wolveschildrenincare.com/.