Celebration for Plymouth's children in care

Plymouth’s children and young people in care were the stars of the show recently as they were celebrated with a big awards ceremony.

Plymouth City Council hosts the annual “You can do it too awards” to make sure that every looked after young person knows that their efforts and achievements in life, no matter how big or small are celebrated. 

As corporate parent to 417 children in care, the Council’s Children’s Social Care department hosts the annual event to celebrate the bravery and resilience of the city’s most vulnerable young people.

It takes place over two days – the first is an evening event for students at secondary school and higher education aged 12 to 21. The second is a daytime event for primary children aged 4 to 11.

Both included award presentations, food and entertainment with a disco, with the chance for children and young people to socialise with others in similar circumstances, who can understand what they have been through and the changes they are coping with.
254 young people and their foster carers attended this year’s event at the Rolle Square Marquee on the Plymouth University campus in the city. Awards were presented for a range of different achievements during a child’s time in care including effort, academic attendance and achievement, plus personal achievements and attitude.

Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The you can do it too awards is our chance to celebrate the personal achievements of Children in Care. All of not sure about using word winner wonder about – young people have overcome difficult circumstances and their stories are a real inspiration. They deserve to be recognised for their success and this is our way of showing how proud we are of their accomplishments."

“These awards are always such an up-lifting occasion and do such a fantastic job of recognising the achievements of looked after children in Plymouth. It’s important all the children and young people in our care know we are proud of how far they have come, and that we remain committed to supporting them and helping them achieve their goals."

Nominations for awards came from a variety of people including teachers, social workers family support workers and foster carers. The event was hosted by the Council’s Children’s Social Care department and coordinated by Young Devon, a charity aimed at ‘changing the odds in favour of young people’.

Tim Tod, Chief Executive of Young Devon, said: “We are delighted to have been able to organise and facilitate such a fantastic event for Looked After children in Plymouth. It is a real pleasure to highlight the huge range of successes that have been achieved this year, and we are particularly pleased to have done so in partnership with young people themselves. The Listen and Care Council – a group of Looked After young people Young Devon works with and regularly supports – have been consulted on the content and line-up of the events, and high profile young people from the City are themselves presenting at the awards.”

As well as Councillor McDonald, other special guests included two local heroes, Katie Bradley, Under 21 Champion in Taekwondo  and Chris Gilchrist from the Beat Breakers. The event was hosted by Jennie Hartley from Heart Radio.