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Young people campaign to de-stigmatise the care system
1 August 2010
Young people with care experience are organising a multimedia campaign to ‘tell the truth’ about life in care. Organised by The Who Cares? Trust and funded by the National Young Volunteers service (v), the project will enable young people to confront and unpick stereotypes about care in a bid to de-stigmatise the system.
Care leavers from local authorities in London and the South East will volunteer by taking part in various activities including lobbying parliament, producing a film, organising a photography exhibition and developing a campaign website. All of the activities will encourage the view that young people in care should be seen as individuals who can and do achieve.
The problem of the stigma surrounding the care system has been brought to the forefront this week with the launch of the Demos report ‘In Loco Parentis’. The report identified a conflict between evidence that demonstrates the positive impact that care can have on young people’s lives, and public perceptions of the system. It suggested that this misunderstanding is contributing to a resistance to take vulnerable young people into care, resulting in further trauma, instability and expense later on.
The project is part of v’s mygames programme, a unique collaboration of 20 innovative charities across England who have come together to deliver volunteering projects with young people. The programme, launching today,
will boost the impact of the Olympics and Paralympics across England, by promoting and celebrating the values of friendship, respect, excellence, equality and determination.
The Who Cares? Trust was chosen by v for its imaginative approach to working with young people, its fresh ideas and its commitment to embracing the opportunities created by 2012.
The Who Cares? Trust is now looking to recruit young volunteers for the project. For further information, please call Andrea Warman on 0207 017 2781, or visit http://vinspired.com/who-cares-about-care
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