Young adults across Bath and North East Somerset who have been in care or lived away from their parents have taken part in celebrations as part of Care Leavers’ Week 2024.
Some of the messages from care leavers | Photo © B&NES Council
The youngsters adopted a tree in a Pigeon Park in Bath, placing written messages on it for people to read with the theme ‘hear my voice’.
One of the messages reads: “Just because someone stumbles and falls off the path, it doesn’t mean they are lost forever”.
National Care Leavers’ Week, which ran from 28th October to 3rd November, was an opportunity for young care leavers to have their voices heard and raise awareness of the issues they face, as well as the things they have achieved.
Bath & North East Somerset Council and Off The Record BANES arranged a week of celebrations for the care leavers, beginning with the adoption of the tree as part of the Positivitree initiative, which asks local authorities to plant a tree symbolising their commitment to seeing care experienced young people grow and thrive.
The local authority and Off The Record BANES work together to support young people who are leaving care, or who have already left care, up to the age of 25.
All elected council members and officers take on the role of ‘corporate parent’ to look after children and care-experienced young adults in Bath and North East Somerset.
The council currently supports 130 care leavers who are allocated to a personal advisor, a further 80 people aged between 21 and 25 can ask for help at any time and the door is always open for care leavers aged over 25 to call the team and share their news.
The council is signed up to the Care Leaver Covenant to be a Care Leaver Friendly Employer and support care leavers throughout their careers, as well as the Care Leavers App to make it easier to help, support and engage with young people who have left the authority’s care to understand their rights and entitlements.
Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It was moving to join young people today at the adoption of their sapling tree and read messages which came from the heart.
“Each message serves as a beacon of positivity, offering words of wisdom and inspiration and are a tangible reminder that care experienced young people are not alone and are rooted within our community.
“Care Leavers’ Week is a great way to celebrate the achievements of young people and for us to hear from them to help improve the way we support them in the future.
“We want all our children and young adults to lead successful and fulfilling lives after leaving care and it’s the council’s role to help them do that.
“I look forward to hearing more about their celebration events as the week continues.”
