Care leavers supported by GMYN tell their stories on BBC North West Tonight

Two care leavers supported by GMYN have shared their powerful stories on BBC North West Tonight.

Rob and Megan told the BBC’s Isobel Fry about their personal experiences of leaving care and what our programmes mean to them.

Reflecting on leaving the care system, Rob told the BBC’s Isobel Fry: “It’s quite stressful. It’s not really something that I’d want anyone else to go through the same way that I did. 

“If I’d worked with them from the bottom, got all the support that I could have got I feel like things could have worked out a bit differently as well.” 

Rob and Megan are both part of GMYN’s Care Leaver Youth Voice Group that gives young people a space to share their voices and lived experiences to influence change. The group is often GMYN’s first port of call for any influence and governance work with young people.

Since becoming involved in GMYN Rob has been a keynote speaker at industry events and presented at the Care Leaver Awards where Megan received three nominations. The awards honour the successes of care experienced young people from across the city-region.

On what GMYN’s sessions mean to her, Megan says: “A lot of young people’s mental health wouldn’t be as bad if they were made to go to sessions like this because you’re around people who understand you and the staff are more laid back. It’s not like a set social work visit – most of them will just come out and tick boxes, but a place like this doesn’t do that. It’s there for the young people.”

Our Programme Coordinator, Susie Hadaway, who is also care experienced, spoke on the TV package about the importance of youth charities like GMYN.

She says: “When you’re young and trying to navigate yourself through adulthood and through the care system you’re just basically surviving.”

She adds: “It’s a really scary time, when you don’t really know where you are or what you’re doing, and you’ve not really got any guidance I think these places are really important to have.”

At GMYN we know care leavers still receive local authority support with housing, finance, education, employment and training from the age of 18 – 21, and up to 25 if they are in higher education or have additional needs , but we also know that care-experienced young people face significant hurdles.

Studies have shown that care-experienced young people are significantly more likely than their peers to experience unemployment, poverty, and poor mental health. That’s why we’re dedicated to equipping them with essential life skills, strengthening their mental health, and building crucial support networks to help them transition to adulthood feeling supportive, positive, and valued. 

Our programme for young people with experience of care includes: 

• Life skills workshops (cooking, budgeting, team building)

• Wellbeing and mental health focused activities (sport, walking, music, volunteering, arts and crafts and much more)

• Employability sessions (CV writing, interviewing, work experience) 

• Youth Voice activities (consultations and planning activities)

If you are a care experienced young person and want to find out more about GMYN’s sessions please get in contact. 

For more information on each care leaver local offer please see Care Leaver Local Offer :: Home