Don't Write Us Off
Project aim:
Our Don’t Write Us Off project is designed to give a voice to young people in care and care leavers, and enable them to influence professionals and policy makers in the sector.
The four-year project was conceived as a way of empowering care experienced young people by helping them to make their views known using a variety of different methods.
They are being trained in new skills, such as filmmaking and lobbying, in order that they can use many different outlets to get their points of view across.
Outline:
The project was split into two phases. In Phase 1, which lasted a year, groups of care leavers took part in different activities to produce a range of materials – from film to magazine content – which aimed to bust myths about what it’s like to grow up in care.
In Phase 2, which will last for three years in total, young people are getting involved in training professionals and lobbying politicians to get their voices heard.
Overseeing the whole project – uniting both phases - is a participation group of care leavers who represent the views of the wider population of young people with a care background.
This group, currently made up of eight care leavers, meets with other young people to hear their views on issues around being in care. They use this knowledge to inform the future direction and themes of the project.
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