An evening of entertainment – with a difference – is being planned by a group of care leavers from Trafford.
The event, for businesses based in Trafford, has been put on by care leavers – young adults who spent time in foster care or residential care as a child. The evening includes music, talks and poetry done by the young people themselves.
They also want businesses to help the care leavers as they make the transition from being cared for to having to fend for themselves as adults. The aim of the event is to showcase the many talents, skills and attributes of young people leaving care and why businesses should pledge to support them with work opportunities and other things needed to be successful in the work place.
One of the group’s members, Liv Sutton, said:
We are kids who have been in care so we need support and understanding and the businesses can help. That might be understanding that the kid is late to work the first few times but stick with them because they will stick with you.”
The event, which is supported by Trafford Council, takes place at Gorse Hill studios on Thursday 3 October, The studio offers creative, social and personal development opportunities for young people and the community.
The studios are an independently-run charity, established in 2015 after previously being part of Trafford Council for 16 years.
Caroline Gleaves, from the studios, said:
The event is a great way to get businesses to pledge their support, even if it’s with little things like free stationery.”
The care leavers group has already produced a number of projects, including a video that highlighted what it’s like to be a care leaver and how the group works.
Liv, who has now begun to work at Gorse Hill as an apprentice, said:
We’ve all benefited from being in the group and we’ve learned a lot from it. We’ve had a few new people come in and they’ve said we’re a really welcome group. The ones who started have kept it going and we wanted everyone to come together. It’s like a family, like brothers and sisters. It’s good when they ask you questions and you see that we’re all similar.”
The event takes place on Thursday 3 October at the Studios in Cavendish Road, Stretford, and the care leavers are keen to see as many businesses as possible in attendance.
Cllr Cath Hynes, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Social Care, said:
Our Care Leavers have done an amazing job and put in so much effort to prepare for this evening. They are truly deserving of our support and I urge businesses to stand by them and help them in in any way they can.”
For more details, call 0161 866 8356 or email carolinegleaves@gorsehillstudios.co.uk
Posted on Thursday 12th September 2019