An ode for young people in care

It wasn't on my radar that this year would have been the selected time to share my story about being in care, yet alone sharing this besides Lemn Sissay, the incredible poet and change maker. Monday was an amazing event celebrating Lord Pitt in the heart of Camden.

My experience of talking about being in care is nonexistent because of the shame I carried, which was never my burden to. Opening up about a path of life that not many can relate to, or understand can be exhausting. The tendency to over explain, or feel remorse after innocent questioning can feel intense if not retraumatising. 

But what I know now at the tender age of 27, is that there are many of us whose stories matter. We are not always given the opportunity to express our stories in a safe, non judgemental, or extractive environment. Monday night proved to me that there is a space to feel, to be open and encourage other young people to also.

We discussed our care experiences, and young people in care becoming a protected characteristic. I think this move is well overdue and would help mandate institutions to prioritise an effective care of young people in care as well as care leavers who go unseen. 

Our discussion ended on the work of Lord Pitt, with Lemn reflecting on the fact that he'd be proud, and finally legacy of our work that's happening in real time at The Black Curriculum. There is always going to be a crossover between the teaching of Black history in the heart of Eurocentric societies, building a sense of identity for young people in schools, the care system, PRUs to prisons.