Month: February 2019

The Care Leavers Association National Gathering and AGM will take place on 30th March 2019 at The Friends Meeting House Manchester. Join us from 1:30 for some lunch with proceedings starting at 2. This year the theme is Building Connections: Reducing Loneliness. Our key note speaker is Ian Dickson. Care leaver, retired residential care manager and Ofsted inspector, many of you will know Ian from his tireless campaigning to improve outcomes for care leavers. Ian is an inspiring person and speaker. Come and be uplifted and energised by what he has to say. We will be having an open discussion to talk about connections and loneliness. If you would like… Read More

The CLA has recently received funding for 2 new projects. The Big Lottery is funding us through its Building Connections Fund to tackle loneliness and isolation. We will work over 2 years to establish an online digital network to help care leavers across the country to connect and support each other. The Igen Trust is funding us to develop a project to improve the mental health of young care leavers. We will be working with care leavers in Sheffield and Greater Manchester as well as with the local universities to deliver group work and individual support. More information on these projects will be released soon.

The Care Leavers Association is working in a partnership led by award winning charity PhotoVoice exploring the experiences of people who have gone through the care system. In partnership with 3 charities, the project will use photography to explore the experiences of adults who have left care (25+). Cameras will be provided, and no photographic experience is necessary – the insights shared through the 8 weekly workshops will help PhotoVoice develop new toolkits designed to improve the care system and support those currently in care. Drawing on PhotoVoice’s extensive experience in participatory photography and participatory-led engagement, participants will be trained in digital photography and media, storytelling and self-advocacy. They will be supported to… Read More