As you will be aware, the CLA have been working with care leavers up and down the country over the last six months, developing a network for care leavers. We have held meetings in the North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands and the South East, with new dates now confirmed for the South West (see below). These details are also posted on the CLA website.
CLA networking meetings have been a positive for all the people who have attended them across the UK. What has come across very clearly is that although the meetings can feel a little strange at first to those who have had little or no contact with care leavers since leaving care themselves, people are nevertheless taking a lot from the experience. Indeed, many are coming away with the desire to continue meeting and networking with other care leaver groups as they develop.
The meetings are relaxed, informal get-togethers providing a chance to socialise and meet other care leavers. They are an opportunity to find out more about the CLA and see what opportunities there are for getting more involved in care leaver issues. For example, access to childhood care records, education, employment, training, housing, current leaving care provision, the needs of adults with care experience and the needs of care leavers in the criminal justice system.
New dates, times and venues for the next set of regional Care Leaver network meetings across the South West
Truro, Cornwall Monday 1st August 2011
Friends Meeting House
Friends’ Way, Pauls Terrace
Truro Vean, Truro,
Cornwall TR1 1HD
http://www.enjoytruro.co.uk/explore/churches/truro_quakers (follow link for map)
6.30pm – 9.30pm (Refreshments will be provided between 6.30pm and 7pm, with the meeting proper starting at 7pm finishing just before 9.30pm)
St Budeaux, Plymouth Tuesday 2nd August 2011
St Budeaux Church Hall
The Green
Hr. St. Budeaux
Plymouth, PL5 1HN
6.30pm – 9.30pm (Refreshments will be provided between 6.30pm and 7pm, with the meeting proper starting at 7pm finishing just before 9.30pm)
Exeter Wednesday 3rd August 2011
South Street Baptist Church
The Palace Gate Centre
3 Palace Gate
Exeter, EX1 1JA
http://www.ssbcexeter.co.uk/findus.htm (follow link to map)
6.30pm – 9.30pm (Refreshments will be provided between 7pm and 7.30pm, with the meeting proper starting at 7.30pm finishing just before 9.30pm)
Taunton Thursday 4th August 2011
Friend’s Meeting House
Bath Place, High Street
Taunton
Somerset, TA1 4EP
http://www.westsomersetquakers.org.uk/html/flyer_page_1.HTM
6:30pm to 9:30pm (Refreshments will be provided between 6:30pm and 7pm, with the meeting proper starting at 7pm finishing just before 9:30pm)
Bristol Friday 5th August 2011
Horfield Quaker Meeting House
300 Gloucester Road
Bristol BS7 8PD
http://www.bristolquakers.org.uk/meeting_house_details.php?meetinghouse=Horfield%20Quaker%20Meeting%20House (follow link to map)
6.30pm – 9.30pm (Refreshments will be provided between 6.30pm and 7pm, with the meeting proper starting at 7pm finishing just before 9.30pm)
Meetings are for care leavers only. If you require assistance to attend the meeting(s) please contact Darren.
If you would like more information about these events contact Darren Coyne on 0161-236-1980, 07904-485921or darren.coyne@careleavers.com