![]() Goldie grew up in care in the West Midlands. He is now a world famous dj, who popularised drum ‘n’ bass music. In 1995, he released the album Timeless, which went straight into the Top Ten. He is also a skilled break dancer and graffiti artist. |
![]() Marilyn Monroe is the biggest female Hollywood icon of the last century. Starring in films, such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot. She grew up in a series of foster homes. She died at the young age of 36. |
![]() Paolo Hewitt is an accomplished former NME journalist and biographer of The Small Faces, The Jam and Oasis. He lived in care from an early age and has written a book called The Looked After Kid about his experiences in care. |
![]() Leo Blair is the father of formerUK Prime Minister, Tony Blair. He was fostered as a young child and later adopted. he went on to study law and become a barrister, then later a university law lecturer at Durham University. |
![]() Kriss Akabusi is famous for his athletic achievements and won Gold in the 1990 European Championships. As a child, he spent time in children’s homes and also had numerous foster placements. since retiring from competitive sports, he has been involved in commentating, TV presenting and motivational speaking. He was awarded an MBE in 1992. |
![]() Fatima Whitbread is a former javelin world champion and competed in the 1978 Commonwealth Games at age 17. She set a world record in 1986 and became world champion in 1987. Fatima spent the first 14 years of her life in children’s homes. |
![]() Paul Barber is a British actor from Liverpool, most famous for his roles in tv show Only Fools and Horses and the British Film, The Full Monty. He entered the care system in Merseyside at age seven. In 2007 he published a book, called Foster Kid, about his upbringing in foster homes. |
![]() Malcolm X was one of the most prominent black nationalist leaders in the USA during the civil rights movement. He was also a spokesperson for the Nation of Islam. He spent part of his childhood in foster himes and also in a detention centre. |
![]() Samantha Morton started acting at age 13 and has become a Hollywood star, playing opposite Tom Cruise in Minority Report. Samantha spent her childhood in children’s homes and foster homes in Nottinghamshire. |
![]() Seal is a world famous singer and was the most popular soul artist of the 1990s. He has had many hit singles, including Kiss From A Rose, which was the theme for Batman Forever. He was privately fostered until the age of four. |
![]() Neil Morrissey is most famous for his role of Tony in the hit TV series, Men Behaving Badly. He has also performed on stage in the West End. He spent seven years in care, from age 10 to 17, most of which was in children’s homes. |
![]() Lemn Sissay is a professional poet, author and playwright, who has performed across the UK and overseas. Lemn was placed into care from birth and has spent much of his adult life in search of his birth family. |
Each person from care is unique and has a different experience of life in care. They also go on to lead all kinds of varied lives. The Care Leavers’ Association (CLA) recognises that diversity and strives to change negative public perceptions and stereotypes of care leavers.
The CLA is an arena in which to share differing experiences of care and to use them to help one-another as well as to make a difference for young people in or leaving care now.
Leaving care as a young person can be a difficult time. There are all the practical issues to take care of, such as finding a home, getting a job and budgeting your money. Also, you may have to cope with living alone for the first time in your life. However, although care leavers are over-represented amongst some of society’s most disadvantaged groups, many of them go on to lead happy and successful lives.
We want to celebrate that, as well as recognising that there are still many problems to be addressed. The CLA is made up of people who have all been through the process of leaving care and we can provide advice and information on many issues. We can also put you in touch with a network of care leavers across the UK. Everybody’s experience of care is different, but all members of the CLA have one thing in common: we have all lived in either local authority or voluntary sector care.
Membership of the Care Leavers’ Association is FREE and open to anyone, over the age of 18, who has spent time in care as a child. People who are not care leavers, but who support our work, can join as supporters. Simply contact the office to have a membership form sent out to you:
- The Care Leavers’ Association, Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Manchester, M4 6JG
- info@careleavers.com
- 0161 236 5665