I have worked on issues around children’s care for many years, mainly abroad. Much of this work involves developing policies and guidance or training research teams, and is one step removed from the children and young people themselves. I felt it was important for me professionally to reconnect with children and young people’s needs and I also wanted to try and contribute more directly to addressing the challenges that I know they face.
Although the care services in the UK are much more comprehensive than those in the lower and middle incomes where I usually work, I am very much aware that we still often fail children and young people in care and care leavers. I think that this is in part due to a failure to listen to and respond to their needs. I wanted to work on a service that was trying to improve their participation.
It’s been wonderful to meet other volunteers of all different ages and life stages and backgrounds. I’m inspired by the commitment and professionalism that everyone brings to the role.
I was proud to complete my first referral – it was good to listen to a young person’s needs and feel like I was helping to move them along in their advocacy journey.