National Care Leavers celebrated as events are held across the borough

This week North East Lincolnshire Council will join the nationwide celebrations for National Care Leavers’ Week.

The celebrations will take place from Monday 28^th October to Sunday 3^rd November, with the theme this year being “All of Us, We are One.”

Care Leavers is a name given to people that have grown up away from their family – usually in a children’s home, or in foster care.

Care Leavers are encouraged to join in the various events throughout the week including a Halloween themed session, a friendly football match at the newly opened Clee Fields and a drop-in aimed at sharing information relating to education and training available in the area.

By celebrating National Care Leavers’ Week the aim is to amplify the voices of care leavers and to raise awareness of the issues in the care system. It is important to hear from care experienced people and to listen to the lived experiences they have had to understand how we are best able to help them achieve their potential.

A local care experienced person said “As a care leaver you don’t always have people around you. It’s nice to see events happening in the area so you can meet people with similar experiences, it means you don’t feel as alone.”

Portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Margaret Cracknell, said: “We continue to ensure that Care Leavers and Care Experienced People feel supported and listened to in North East Lincolnshire.

“It’s important to celebrate these incredible people, to give them a space to meet other Care Leavers in a safe and supportive environment, and to give them a voice.