1 July 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.
Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive of The Who Cares? Trust, commented “We’re delighted to be launching the mygames programme, which will help volunteers develop their skills, while making a meaningful difference to their community.”
Terry Ryall, v’s Chief Executive, says: “v is delighted to award The Who Cares? Trust this grant to support volunteering among 16-25s. We are committed to strengthening the role of young people in society. mygames is a fantastic way to harness the talents, energy and enthusiasm of a new generation of young people.”
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 vinspired.com.
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For further information on The Who Cares? Trust please contact Jemma Roche, Communications and Marketing Manager, on 0207 017 2788 or email jemma.roche@thewhocarestrust.org.uk
For further information on v, please contact Paul Werb, v’s Communications Manager, at paul.werb@vinspired.com, 0207 960 7011
Notes to Editors
1. The Who Cares? Trust is a UK-wide charity that works to improve the lives of children and young people in care. We do this by:
- using our expertise and influence with government policy-makers
- informing, empowering and supporting children and young people in care, through our magazines and other publications and through projects and campaigns which directly benefit them, and
- producing information and support materials for foster carers and professionals as a means to improving the lives of children in care.
2. v is The National Youth Volunteers Service, whose mission is to inspire a new generation of young volunteers in England aged 16-25.
3. v’s aim is to create a culture where volunteering comes naturally – and where the benefits of volunteering are understood and celebrated.
4. v is an independent charity launched in May 2006 as a result of the Russell Commission report, A National Framework for Youth Action and Engagement.
5. To find out more about v visit the charity’s website www.vinspired.com.
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