The Listen2Us Project wishes to get rid of the stigma which goes with being a ‘looked after person’.
The purpose of the project is to show people that sometimes being in care can be really positive and can give young people opportunities which they may never have had if they hadn’t been looked after. The Dumfries and Galloway Council initiative seeks the views and experiences of looked after young people and care leavers across Dumfries and Galloway, providing them with the opportunity to design, shape, influence and improve the range of services they access and receive.
Some of the Listen2Us group celebrated National Care Leavers week by going to the Who Cares? Scotland’s ‘Time to Shine’ event in Maryhill Community Hall, Glasgow on 31st October. As it was Halloween everyone was asked to go in fancy dress and the young people decided they should dress up as some famous and fictional care leavers, which included Harry Potter, Marilyn Monroe, Catwoman, John Lennon, James Bond and Charlie Chaplin.
The idea for their costumes came after young people from the project produced a booklet showcasing famous and fictional care leavers. It contains famous people who have been through the care system themselves – foster care, adoption, kinship care and residential care – and what they have accomplished since leaving care.
The Time to Shine event was a national event run by Who Cares? Scotland and funded by the Life Changes Trust in order to bring looked after young people and care leavers together from across the whole of Scotland to celebrate National Care Leavers week. The events took place at different venues around the country and this was the third one the group from Dumfries and Galloway had attended. Young people could take part in a range of activities like sumo-wrestling, listening to bands and DJ’s, dog therapy sessions, painting, designing t-shirts and generally just having a fun care-free day!
Councillor Jim Dempster, Chairman of the Social Work Service committee, said: “Providing the best start in life for all our children, protecting the most vulnerable, and being inclusive are key priorities for Dumfries and Galloway Council. The Listen2Us project is about young people who are or have been looked after trying to make a difference to their own lives, and the lives of looked after young people across the region. I am delighted that they have had the opportunity to participate in this event so that they can meet up with other young care leavers from the whole of Scotland and share their joint experiences whilst having fun.”
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