Young people and their Young Person’s Advisors took part in 10 activities last week, including a wellbeing and beauty evening where they were able to enjoy facial treatments, henna mehndi and Lush gift sets provided by their Grand Mentors from Volunteering Matters, and a team building day giving back to the local community at Wildside Activity Centre.
Wolverhampton Homes, the council’s Supported Accommodation Team and Tony Davies Painting and Decorating Services held a special 2 day Changing Rooms style event where young people were able to help renovate one of the training flats that are offered to children and young people in care.
Tony Davies provided 2 painters and decorators for both days, who showed young people how to strip wallpaper, paint and put up new wallpaper, teaching them valuable DIY skills and having lots of fun along the way.
There was also a night at the movies and a delicious food around the world evening. The care leavers football team, who this year were kindly sponsored by The Wolves Foundation, were runners up in the Care Leavers Week Cup held in Walsall, and care leavers with young children were able to enjoy an extra special autumnal baby group hosted by Wolves Stay and Play.
For the first time, the lights in the atrium at the Civic Centre were turned blue to raise awareness of Care Leavers Week. The Care Leavers Independent Collective Forum chose blue as being a cheerful, positive colour.
In total 56 care experienced young people took part in Care Leavers Week 2023 and Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Care Leavers Week is an important and enjoyable week for all the young people who either have, or are, making the transition from being in care to starting their journey towards independent living.
"As a council, we work hard to ensure our care leavers are fully supported and celebrated through this important and exciting time, to make sure that this first step into adulthood is the best it can be.
"We were delighted that so many were able to attend and enjoy our week of activities, having fun, making friends and learning new skills at the same time. It's been so important to me that I've met, and joined in the activities with, so many of our care leavers who have told me about the challenges they face, and the help they'd like to receive in future.”
This year, National Care Leavers’ Week, which ran until last Wednesday (1 November) called on the public, professionals, carers, decision makers and the media to CARE – Celebrate care leavers, Amplify their voices, Raise awareness of challenges and Encourage change in policy and practice.
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 Wolverhampton Children in Care.
