Over the last two decades, the City of Wolverhampton Council has helped more than 1,000 young people make the move out of care to independent living, and those who are about to make, or have recently made, the move will be taking part in a range of activities this week to highlight their progress.
They include a celebration at the University of Wolverhampton this morning (Monday), and another at the Grand Theatre on Friday during which care leavers will receive certificates from the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Barry Findlay. They will also see a special video message for local care leavers from former Olympic athlete Kriss Akabusi, who grew up in care.
Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: "Supporting care leavers is a key priority for the council. Young people in care have often had a very difficult start to their lives, so it's important that we give them the help they need to make the transition into adulthood.
"Our Care Leavers are achieving well, and Care Leavers Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their efforts as they begin their journey into adulthood."
National Care Leavers' Week seeks to highlight the needs of care leavers, and encouraging the agencies responsible for looking after them to work in a coordinated and effective way.
The week is also about focussing the minds of politicians on the support needed for these vulnerable individuals and raising public awareness about an invisible minority who face a particular set of challenges as they enter adult life.
The council's Fostering for Wolverhampton team is keen to hear from individuals and families who are interested in becoming foster carers and want to care for teenagers and young people.
To find out more, please visit Type=links;Linkid=7567;Title=Fostering;Target=_blank;, call 01902 551133 or search Fostering for Wolves on Facebook, or attend the next fostering information evening, taking place at Molineux Stadium on Wednesday 16 November, 2016, from 6.30pm to 8pm.
- released: Monday 24 October, 2016