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CONNECTED CARE LEAVERS CONNECTED

NATIONAL CARE LEAVERS MONTH ISSUE NO.06

Care Leaver Voices Tips on cost of living, energy bills and how to access your records

Inside this issue

WELCOME National Care Leavers month with a special focus of what care looks like after 25

LATEST NEWS

03 04

Updates from the latest news around care leaver issues

CARE LEAVERS VOICES

From Experience to empowerment for National Care Leavers Month

REMEMBERING THOSE WE LOST

Hear from how loss has affected care leavers

CARE LEAVER CULTURE Care leaver representation in the arts and media

COST OF LIVING

13 14

Winter warmer recipe from Liam

POLICY AND PRACTICE

A report from...

HOW TO GET INVOLVED Ways to get involved with the CLA

FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD As we mark National Care Leavers Month, we are celebrating the voices, experiences and achievements of care experienced people everywhere. This year’s theme, Leading the Way: From Experience to Empowerment, reminds us that our experiences do not define our limits. Our voices matter, our stories deserve to be heard, and our lived experience has the power to shape a better future. But care experience doesn’t simply end when we leave care. Its impact can stay with us throughout our lives, influencing our identities, relationships, mental health and sense of belonging. For some, the journey brings resilience and opportunity; for others, there are challenges and experiences that continue to need understanding, recognition and support, long into adulthood. This edition also makes space to remember those we have sadly lost. Those whose lives were shaped by difficult experiences, poor mental health, loneliness or circumstances that became too much to carry. We remember them with love, compassion and the recognition that every life matters. They are part of our community, and they will not be forgotten.As the colder months approach, we hope our special winter warmer recipe brings a little comfort, alongside opportunities to reflect, connect and share. Wherever you are on your journey, you belong here. Thank you for being part of our community.

CARE LEAVERS CONNCTED

LATEST NEWS United for Change Conference We will be joining Catch22’s National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum (NLCBF), Young People’s Benchmarking Forum (YPBMF), The National House Project (NHP), and Care Leavers National Movement (CLNM), this event offers a powerful day of cross-sector collaboration. It has been shaped with care experienced people from the very start.

New Health Project Looking for volunteers for the new board... see page 9 for reflection on connected project

NYAS, Advocacy Looking for advocacy?

Issue No.06 | Care Leavers Connected

CARE LEAVER VOICES By Jon

To my fellow care leavers, and those who support us, I want to share a journey that I have only recently learned to feel proud of. Some evenings, after putting my daughter to bed, I reflect on how far I have come. My journey took me through children’s homes, foster homes and the uncertainty of leaving care. When I first entered care, I felt alone and isolated. In the children’s home, staff worked shifts and some made it clear that it was simply a job. At a time when I desperately needed security and belonging, little felt permanent. Foster care brought more upheaval. I lived in fourteen homes in two years, still searching for somewhere safe to call home. At sixteen, I left care and was dropped at my mother’s doorstep. Violence returned, the relationship broke down, and I

My lecturers saw beyond the hardened

soon found myself living among drug users

exterior I had built for protection. Through

and criminals. The environment around me

patience, belief and mentorship, they

was pulling me towards a path I did not want.

helped lay the foundations of the man I am today. I did not appreciate it then, but they

Then somebody gave me a chance. I heard

went far beyond what was expected. With

about a vacancy and asked a friend to help.

their support and the encouragement of my

That conversation led to a job as a removal

peers, I was named the outstanding

man and gave me a way forward. A year

vocational student of the year for my city.

later, my leaving care support worker persuaded me to return to college.

06 05

Along the way, I met my wife, who has done so much to help me learn to trust and love again, a brilliant woman. Together we had our beautiful daughter, who gave me an even greater purpose to make the world better.

“I SHARE THIS IN THE HOPE THAT IT REACHES ONE CARE LEAVER WHO NEEDS IT. ASKING FOR HELP, OR PAUSING TO RECOGNISE THE HELP ALREADY AVAILABLE, CAN BE THE FIRST STEP. THE SAFETY, BELONGING AND HEALING YOU SEEK MAY FEEL DISTANT, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO GENUINELY WANT TO HELP YOU FIND A WAY FORWARD”. By Natalie Williams-Fenton

FROM EXPERIENCE TO EMPOWERMENT By Natalie

This is me. Lonely, isolated and vulnerable. A sixteenyear-old facing a future full of uncertainty. Yet beneath the fear was determination, resilience and an unwavering sense of purpose. I was stubborn enough to believe that my circumstances would not define my future. Following the breakdown of a foster placement, I lived in a residential home that became my place of safety, stability and belonging. Leaving at sixteen was devastating.

I was stepping away from the security that many young people take for granted and into a world I was not fully prepared for. However, I had no choice but to move forward. Despite the challenges, I continued with my college course. While many of my peers were focused solely on their studies, I was learning how to budget, manage a home, and navigate adulthood independently. When my supported living accommodation broke down, I found myself living in a hostel. It was another setback, but I refused to give up. I completed college with a Distinction in Hospitality Management, received a Student Achievement Award and secured a place at university over 200 miles away from everything I had ever known.

It was a leap into the unknown, but one I was determined to take. In 2005, I graduated with a 2:1 in International Hospitality Management, alongside a professional qualification in French and valuable experience gained during a year-long placement abroad. Encouraged by a supportive key worker who helped me secure accommodation, I continued my studies and completed a Master's degree in Hospitality Management, graduating with Merit. When support from social services ended, I faced another challenge: building a life entirely on my own. Despite my qualifications, I struggled to secure employment and lacked confidence in promoting my strengths. Then I became a volunteer First Responder. That experience changed everything. For the first time, I found my calling: caring for people at their most vulnerable. Inspired by this, I trained as an Adult Nurse and went on to work in acute medicine, intensive care and community nursing. Caring for others was not simply a profession; it was, and remains, a privilege. This is me today.

Today, I am a Lecturer in Adult Nursing, supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals. My journey has taught me that adversity does not define destiny. Never lose hope, never lose purpose and never underestimate what is possible. As Mahatma Ghandi states, ‘Be the change you wish to see’.

Still determined. Still resilient. Still driven by purpose. Want to share your story? Please get in touch with us at connected@careleavers.com

Issue No.06 | Care Leavers Connected

CARE LEAVER VOICES By Chloe

Hello readers! My name is Chloe- I am a 24 year old care leaver on a mission to change the statistics. I spent 3 of the most important years of my life homeless. In this time I realised this was down to no fault of my own. This is why I created homeless to home. This is my project- soon to be CIC. I deliver workshops to assist care leavers with the transition to

I recently featured in the Sunday morning live

living independently, with everything I wish I

show, discussing the possibility of ending

had known first time round with additional

homelessness. I spoke on my experience as a

research of what other care

care leaver and if I thought this was a

experienced young people wish they’d had

possibility I took this opportunity to speak on

known too.

behalf of the whole care community. My message was that care leavers end up

I also share my life online so that other care

homeless due to no fault of their own and

experienced people up and down the country

25% of the UK homeless population is made

know they are not alone! Sharing your life

up of care leavers and this needs to stop. I

online can come with many positives- one of

took the opportunity of being on live TV and

those positives for me is connecting with

told the nation one thing- more support

other care leavers online. I have connected

needs to be in place for care leavers.

with so many other care leavers that are on a mission for change just like myself- these

There should be a specialist team within each

people have turned into my friends.

council that assists care leavers sustaining

I have learnt so much from connecting with

their firs tenancies. No care leaver should end

the older generations of care leavers and I am

up homeless just because they weren’t

very thankful to be able to have these people

prepared for adulthood.

right behind me and share their wisdom with the younger generations.

Watch the full episode here.

REFLECTION OF CONNECTED PROJECT I completed college with a Distinction in Hospitality Management, received a Student Achievement Award and secured a place at university over 200 miles away from everything I had ever known. It was a leap into the unknown, but one I was determined to take. In 2005, I graduated with a 2:1 in International Hospitality

Management,

professional

qualification

alongside

French

and

valuable experience gained during a year-long placement abroad. Encouraged by a supportive key

worker

who

helped

secure

accommodation, I continued my studies and completed a Master's degree in Hospitality Management, graduating with Merit.

This is me today.

When support from social services ended, I

Still determined. Still resilient. Still driven by

faced another challenge: building a life entirely on my own. Despite my qualifications, I struggled to secure employment and lacked confidence in promoting my strengths. Then I became a volunteer First Responder. That experience changed everything. For the first time, I found my calling: caring for people at their most vulnerable. Inspired by

purpose. Today, I am a Lecturer in Adult Nursing, supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals. My journey has taught me that adversity does not define destiny. Never lose hope,

never

lose

purpose

and

never

underestimate what is possible. As Mahatma Ghandi states, ‘Be the change you wish to see’.

this, I trained as an Adult Nurse and went on to work in acute medicine, intensive care and community nursing. Caring for others was not simply a profession; it was, and remains, a privilege.

Issue No.06 | Care Leavers Connected

IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING ABOUT OUR HEALTH HISTORY

Family relationships were not established

By Mel

Ashley died a horrific death at age 33. In care all his life and left care age 16 through no fault of his own, all systems failed him! Diagnosed aged 10 with ADHD and Autism and struggled with these neurodiversity's he also lacked mental capacity. Ashley struggled with life in care and leaving care! Felt alone and abandoned by everyone who should have been supporting him, he had no one to fall back on other than social care.

due to life in care and this is the sad hard reality for care leavers unfortunately. In and out of Prison and struggled with his mental health and self –harming! Lost his own child through to the system who he never got to meet! Addicted to substance misuses and alcohol, homeless for 15 years. A survivor and the bravest person I've ever known! Ashley did not know anything about his identity/family History and so when he died and had an inquest on his body this lasted 1 year, open verdict case outcome, I will never know the full details of my brother’s death but what I do know now is that my brother was suffering with undiagnosed illnesses along with all additional pressures I have mentioned in this article and going through all this trauma/pain and heart ache and physical pain all on his own with no support, no love and no one he trusted! The coroner identified that Ashley had undiagnosed heart disease and Diabetes illnesses and Ashley was not seeking any medical supports regarding this –even worse he did not know about them. As I grew up in care, I was a curious little girl and asked lots of questions –I still do now!

I have been able to access my social care

My experience shows the importance of

files and been able to build on my own life

knowing about family history so we can

story work/identity -this led me to finding

prevent physical illnesses and prevent the

out that our dad died in his early 40’s -

unknown's later in life when seeking

dad had a twin who died 11 days after birth

medical supports or needing to answer

due to a rare disease-Our dad had twins

medical questions which can be tough if

himself, (we have older twins siblings) our

you do not know about your family’s

dad was a traveler but may have been

medical history/generic histories.

adopted /fostered himself as a child so struggled with his own trauma’s and did not know much about his own identify and sense of belonging. Dad died of heart attack and diabetes and struggled with gout /infections and lost his foot. As a result of my brother’s death –I have been able to pre-warn and inform my other brother siblings and encouraged them to seek medical supports-They have and are now being checked for heart disease and Marfan Syndrome and being checked for Diabetes.

Our new health project at the CLA...

Issues affected you, want to change things..

Issue No.06 | Care Leavers Connected

REMEMBERING TOGETHER

The bowl itself carried a memory. It had been made by the late activist, writer and potter David Gee, and given to Jamie by David’s partner, Dr Arzhia Habibi.

Following the publication of the

Something created by one person was

independent review into the early deaths

now helping us honour many others.

of care leavers, our community came together to remember. Dr Lisa Cherry OBE called the gathering, supported by Dr Jim Goddard and the Care Leavers’ Association. Jamie Crabb was invited to offer a way for us to acknowledge our collective grief. Jamie brought stones collected by the sea and a bowl of water. Drawing on a ritual shared by Francis Weller, he placed the first stone in the bowl for the young care experienced people whose deaths had prompted the gathering. Those who wished to could then speak the name of someone they were remembering. We repeated each name together as Jamie added another stone.

Remembering matters because a person’s place in our lives does not end when they die. A name can bring back a laugh, a conversation, a shared meal or a small kindness. These everyday memories hold something precious about who someone was and the relationships they formed. There is value in hearing that somebody else remembers the person you miss, or in being welcomed to share a memory others may never have heard before. For care experienced people, keeping those connections can carry particular importance. We may have lived through changes of home, separation from family, or friendships interrupted by circumstances beyond our control. Opportunities to remember can help us keep hold of people and parts of our lives that still matter. We deserve time for this. There should be room for sadness, love, anger and silence, without anyone needing to find the right words. Listening to another person’s memories is one way we can care for them, and learn about someone whose life touched theirs. Our gathering offered that time. Thank you to Jamie, Lisa, Jim, the CLA team and everyone who joined us.

The bowl itself carried a memory. It had

Remembering together is something we

been made by the late activist, writer and

can continue through our conversations,

potter David Gee, and given to Jamie by

our gatherings and the care we show each

David’s partner, Dr Arzhia Habibi.

other. Those we have lost remain part of

Something created by one person was

our community’s story.

now helping us honour many others.

Issue No.06| Care Leavers Connected

CARE LEAVER CULTURE

Love Isn’t Born. It’s Built. – Children Beyond Blood - Book A reflective lived-experience book by The Hidden Voice, an adult adoptee. Written from inside adoption, it explores identity, belonging, loss, gratitude, silence, and the emotional complexity of having roots in one place and home in another.At its heart, the book carries one message: love is not simply born. It is built through presence, protection, choice and care. It invites readers to listen beyond labels and recognise the human need for belonging, truth, dignity, and care. Time - Season 3 BBC Iplayer

Careless - Podcast Nkechi Simms is a successful actor who’s had parts in Top Boy and the BBC comedy PRU. Outwardly

life

everything

going

good for

and

she’s

but

this

her,

got

hasn’t

always been the case. When she was 12 Nkechi’s mother handed her over to Camden Council and she was placed in foster care. Now Nkechi wants to find out what happened to her and why. The only way she can do this is by getting hold of her care records. But that’s easier said than done. And will those records answer her questions?

Issue No.06 | Care Leavers Connected

MY WINTER WARMER: LASAGNE SOUP Recipe by Liam

Lasagna is one of my favourite comfort foods, but I don’t always have the time to make one from scratch. This lasagna soup is a brilliant alternative. It’s quicker and easier to make while still giving you all the rich, comforting flavours of a traditional lasagna. It’s also incredibly versatile. I like to add leftover vegetables from the fridge, such as peppers or courgettes, which helps reduce food waste while adding some extra nutrients. You can change the mince depending on what you have available, or opt for a meat-free mince or tofu for a vegetarian version. Top with as much or as little cheese as you like and you’ve got an easy, comforting meal that’s perfect for the colder months. I like to serve mine with a few slices of garlic bread to dunk. Serves: 4 Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 35–40 mins Ingredients: · 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil · 1 onion, finely chopped · 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped · 3–4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped · 500g lean beef mince (5% fat) · Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper · 500g passata · 1 × 400g tin of chopped tomatoes · 1 tbsp tomato puree · 1 tbsp dried oregano · 500ml boiling beef stock · 1 tbsp red wine vinegar · A bunch of fresh basil, chopped · 10 lasagne sheets · 125g reduced-fat mozzarella, grated · 20g Parmesan, grated o garnish · A few fresh basil leaves · Grated Parmesan

Issue No.06 | Care Leavers Connected

Method: 1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep, lidded pan or casserole dish. Sauté the onion, celery and garlic over a medium heat for 4–5 minutes, until soft. Add the beef mince, salt and pepper and cook for 4–5 minutes, breaking up the mince with a wooden spoon or spatula, until brown all over. 2. Add the passata, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and oregano to the pan and cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until the tomatoes have broken down. Add the beef stock, red wine vinegar and basil and continue to simmer for 5 minutes. 3. Break each lasagne sheet in half, then add to the pan; you should be able to submerge each lasagne sheet in the sauce liquid, allowing them to cook. Cook the lasagne sheets for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the lasagne sheets don’t stick to one another (they will want to stick together). Have some additional hot or boiling water ready on the side just in case the pan looks like it's drying out before the lasagne sheets are cooked, adding splashes of boiling water to the pan and stirring. You want it to be in between a Bolognese and a soup-like consistency. 4. Once the lasagne sheets are cooked, the sauce should have thickened, so there is not too much liquid left in the pan. Top with the mozzarella and Parmesan, cover with the lid and let the cheese melt for 5 minutes. Serve garnished with fresh basil and grated Parmesan. Nutrition: Fibre: 4.7g Protein: 39g

POLICY & PRACTICE

A magazine is a periodical publication, which can

either

printed

published

electronically. It is issued regularly, usually every week or every month, and it contains a variety of content. This can include articles, stories, photographs, and advertisements. To create your own, choose a topic that interests you. It can be anything from fashion and beauty to travel and the news. Once you have

your

overall

brainstorming

the

theme,

you

content.

Just

can

start

starting?

Design a memorable masthead with an equally memorable name. This goes on the cover and sets up the branding for your entire magazine. What style are you going for? Is it playful? Classic? Bold? A good masthead captures the essence of your magazine, so it needs to be flexible, meaningful, and consistent enough for future issues. A magazine is a periodical publication, which can

either

printed

published

your

overall

brainstorming

the

theme,

you

content.

Just

can

start

starting?

Design a memorable masthead with an equally memorable name. This goes on the cover and

Care Leavers Connected

HOW TO GET INVOLVED Join our Editorial Board EB volunteers make a crucial contribution to every issue of this magazine. Interested in getting involved? There are more details on page 11 of this issue.

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