Shaping Up: Young people in care get their just rewards
Young people living in care, or those who have recently left care, were joined by TV’s Tracy Beaker at the Shaping Up awards ceremony.
The event held at Manor Hall in Leamington, and hosted by Warwickshire County Council’s Education and Social Services departments and Barnardo’s, saw around 80 young people ranging in age from seven to 24 given certificates after receiving nominations from social workers, teachers and foster parents.
Shaping Up was attended by TV star Dani Harmer of the smash TV series Tracey Beaker with several guest speakers including former care leavers who had gone on to forge impressive careers.
These included Ivor Franks, the care experienced barrister who was joined by Maxine Wrigley MBE, also formerly in care who runs National Voice, a national organisation promoting young people’s rights. Nattylyn Jeffers, a care leaver now studying for a Masters performed the Tracy Chapman number, Behind the Wall
Geese Theatre also performed a series of sketches based on two imaginary lives of young people in care. A large scale fireworks display rounded off the evening.
Many aspects of the young people’s lives were rewarded; attendance at school, improved academic performance, general improvements in behaviour were all criteria that event organisers were delighted to reward.
Councillor Izzi Seccombe, portfolio holder with Warwickshire County Council for children’s services said: “We offer a wide range of support for all age groups of people in care or who have left care but there can be no denying that many of these young people face barriers that many of their peers do not have.
“This award ceremony was our way of recognising their accomplishments. In the cases of all the young people who were given awards, they are taking the help on offer from a variety of agencies and moving forward with their lives. We do not take for granted what an achievement that is on their part.”
Rob Dunster, development manager leaving care with Warwickshire County Council’s Social Services, said: “We felt this year’s event was even more successful than 2004. The children, young people and their carers saw all their efforts publicly recognised and celebrated.”