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Our Voice Listen Up


Our Voice Logo

Are you aged 10 to 17 and currently in care?
Do you want your voice to be heard on issues that affect you?

Our Voice Listen Up is all about hearing the voices and making positive change through listening to, engaging with and working with children in our care and care leavers.  There are a range of ways to get involved and be part of the positive.

We meet every two weeks at the Molson Centre, Grimsby, to do some collaborative work activities with each other on important issues that matter to us, with a meal too. Visitors often attend the group to present something of interest to what we are working on, or just to cook with us and do some fun activities.

Download the Our Voice, Listen Up! Flyer (PDF, 675KB) .

Interested?

Contact Pippa for more information:

07584150229

[email protected]

Or check out our virtual group members

Virtual group members

If you do not want to come to a group but still want to contribute to the work they do, you can sign up to be a virtual member. By doing this you can post ideas for discussion and give your views on topics we are working on through email, text or social media.

To join the group or become a virtual member email us at [email protected] or call 01472 326292.

Be part of the positive change

Do you want to be a change maker?

This is for those who are interested in sharing their views and experiences to help plan and meet managers and decision makers to influence positive change in our community.

This group of young people who meet fortnightly on a Tuesday evening.  They work on projects to improve the services and opportunities for children in our care.  The projects usually last for around 3 months and are selected by young people working with service managers. The meetings involve having conversations and sharing experiences and ideas for how we can make things happen. The group regularly meet with managers to share what they think and agree what can be done. If you are interested in joining this group speak to your social worker to arrange a chat and dates to get started.

Express yourself

These opportunities are for those who love to share and tell their story through creative activity. This could include art and craft, singing, drama, creative writing, photography film-making and more.  These activities happen throughout the year and you can opt to join all or some of the activities to share your views through these.

Current activity is Singing sessions, for children young people in our care, care leavers, carers and children’s service staff all coming together to learn to sing some songs together to perform these at the Mayors Civic Sunday. 

The upcoming dates are Tuesday 18 March and Tuesday 1 April from 4pm to 5:30pm at Grimsby Town Hall and performing at the Mayors Civic Sunday 13 April 2025.

To join this please contact your social worker.

Are you the next star baker?

Our food-based events that can be anything from learning to cook a new dish, baking cakes and of course eating them all too! Maybe you could be the next Paul Hollywood.

Next activity is Bake off competition for children and young people in our care V’s their carers on 11 April 2025 from 1:30pm to 4pm at Nunsthorpe family hub.

Book your place through your Independent Reviewing Officer.

Just for fun!

For those who like to come together and connect with new friends and old. Activities include discos, fun days and our annual awards event (YOUnique awards) socials are just for fun.

Upcoming activities

Spring fun afternoon Thursday 10 April from 2pm to 4pm. Creating some of the decorations for the carnival float for fostering and planting some spring and summer flowers to take home and watch them grow.

Speak to your social worker if you want to attend.

Our promise to the children in our care

The Corporate Parenting Promise and local offer for care leavers are our commitments to the children and young people we care for.

The promise set outs how we will provide children and young people with the best possible care, support and access to opportunities to their current and future needs. Along with the local offer for care leavers, the promise helps young people become independent and reach their full potential.

Our promise was developed through a series of workshops and consultations with looked after children and care leavers. The Promise details what young people in care want from North East Lincolnshire Council and the officers who work there.

Our promises to children in care and care leavers:

  1. Relationships – They have been found to be the most important promise for young people and children as having consistent, positive, and trusting relationships is the key to everything else, whether that be with staff at NELC, or family members and foster carers.
  2. Where you live – This promise strives to ensure young people in care live with people who are well-trained to support and care for them. This in turn will guarantee young people and children are set up well for their future.
  3. Ready for the future – This promise is pivotal in providing the skills young people want to ensure they are ready to enter the adult world. It is so important for young people to have access to practical, emotional, and financial support.
  4. Support for you – This promise evolves around understanding the needs of young people and children for our services at NELC to be developed appropriately for their needs and uses. This promise also means that young people will importantly be involved in the decision making and employment of staff at the council.
  5. Participation in society – Since the relaunch of the new promise, we have learnt how important participation in society is for young people and children in care. It is so important for a range of options to be available for our young people so they feel heard within decision making.
  6. Education, training, and employment – It is vital for us as Corporate Parents to understand young people’s needs regarding options for education, training, and employment. This involves connecting young people with the best opportunities in the area to get the job the young person wants, to develop their skills and importantly, confidence.
  7. Health and wellbeing – This promise not only helps to promote physical health, but emotional and psychological health too, making it all the more important to keep in mind! It is so important to ensure young people and children have easy access to these services throughout their time in care.

Your feedback on the promise is very valuable. Please let us know your thoughts by filling in our short survey Corporate Parenting Promise Feedback.

“North East Lincolnshire Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and staff and expect the same commitment from all staff and volunteers.”