We’ve Got You in #Birmingham❤️launched to help young people who are care experienced/facing homelessness to access training, accommodation and career opportunities within the construction sector.
Listen to @SimonWingate2 on @freeradionews this morning - https://t.co/d4ofOsQI0G
@JackieD86388657@DawnButlerBrent Why do white people get so triggered by black history being celebrated and elevated for only 4wks. Maybe BHM is in place because black history is not taught and that much of modern society is born out of black advances and achievements. We onlu learn about slavery and MLK in B&W!
In 1975 I was desperate to find a job / career that had deep personal meaning & involved making a difference to things I cared about. My mum took to me to a careers exhibition like the one below & the wonderful social worker I met changed my life. No regrets. I’ve loved it.
I was arrested at 1 of my placements as I shut the kitchen cupboard too hard & the door came off in my hand it escalated into an argument & me being done for criminal damage & section 5 public order for swearing at a PC...completely unnecessary, & had it been her own daughter...
Today @ChildrensComm has launched #TheBigAmbition, an chance for you to have your say & share your views on what is important to you.
We asked #CEP what should government do to make children and young people’s lives better?
Here is what you told us:
https://t.co/dIVndAJKkl
"The pervading feeling was that there was something wrong with you, you were the bad kid"
@lemnsissay tells @krishgm how the trauma of his harrowing childhood in care impacted him, in today's Ways to Change the World podcast.
Watch in full: https://t.co/Z5px7nOmR4
"It's heartbreaking."
In an exclusive interview, Femi Koleoso of the Mercury Prize winning Ezra Collective speaks to @MinnieStephC4 about the impact of cuts to youth clubs.
I felt this in my soul. When I was taken into care, at the age of 1, I was separated from my brothers and moved from Toxteth - a diverse area of Liverpool - to Halewood - a part of Knowsley that was more than 99% white, a place where I was chased, beaten, and taunted for being Black.
When I was taken into care, I lost so much more than my family. I lost my culture, my history, and the protection of my community.
Like Louise, I tried to shrink and hide myself, starting with my hair. I relaxed my hair from the age of 9 because I was tired of people touching it and making fun of it.
It took years for me to learn to embrace who I was, to learn about my history, culture, and identity - which is probably why I'm so unwavering about those things now - and I was well into my 20s before I threw the relaxer away!
As an adult, I have chosen to research the educational journeys of care experienced young people for my PhD. While it's great to see the increasing academic interest in the outcomes for care experienced people - outcomes like the care to prison and homelessness pipeline that had, at one time seemed inevitable - it's clear that a lot more research is needed on the intersections of care and race.
To be Black and in care is to experience a whole different level of compound discrimination.
To Louise, I say this ⬇️
I don't know you, but I see you, and i see what you've been up against.
I spent most of my childhood in care, my birth mum died at 14, and I crashed out of school after failing most of my GCSE's at 16. I was homeless a few months later and went down a dark path for a while. By 19, I had a baby boy, and everyone told me I was nothing and that I was going nowhere fast. But my baby boy was the making of me.
I fought for him, dreamed for him and climbed for him. I worked 2 jobs, studied at night school, and got apprenticeships and secondments by day. I gained promotions at work and got the qualifications that allowed me to go to university. Over the past 6 years I have gained a first class degree, masters with distinction, I've had my writing published by Bloomsbury, had my work performed on stage and given keynotes speeches to sold out events up and down the country. I'm a lecturer and Halewood's first Black Woman Town Councillor.
But none of that makes me as proud as yesterday did. Yesterday, the boy I hoped to raise higher than me got his GCSE results. He passed his GCSE's and is going to study at his first choice sixth form. He is the first person in my family to do this, and to say I am proud would be an understatement.
I recently did a podcast about some of my experience in care. The host asked me what I would go back to say to my 16 year old self and I was, momentarily, unable to speak.
16 year old me had no voice. She was a broken shell of a person who would, in a few months' time, try to take her own future away. She had no idea what she was capable of or what she would go on to achieve. I wish I could go back and show her the 16 year old King she raised and tell her exactly what she was capable of.
To you Louise, I say this. You are a force to be reckoned with. You are raising a Queen and changing the world. Your lived experience will give you the strength and empathy to achieve anything. You are capable of moving mountains and I believe that you will.
Louise, you have got this 👑
@Become1992
@SholaMos1 So much hatred towards you, for speaking facts. People are unknowingly highlighting your argument and the privilege and entitlement they have. No way would she have had an apology and been allowed to carry on if she was black. Keep speaking the truth we stand with you ✊❤
Another successful Eid event for our care leavers, families of the trust and members of our local community @Bhamchildtrust @AmrazDarnish@AlexHillman123@jake4shaw@MorriamJan special thanks to @CicSahara for sponsoring such a momentous event and putting smiles on people’s faces
@ZeZeJonesBoi @NatalieLoon @AlexHillman123 @bobmaxfield @Leah_b_blkOT Im so sorry I can't make tomorrow as I have a service meeting with my manager. I have really promoted this within my networks and looks like you should have a great turnout. Some of the staff on my service are going. Lots of people really excited! Hope it goes well tomorrow!! x
A very big thank you to Birmingham children's trust, @jake4shaw,tas,Rizwan,@AmrazDarnish, jameela,Fatima,@MorriamJan for your amazing support to help make this Care leavers Eid event special and seeing the children smile made me smile.Well done
@CicSahara thank you so much for making this possible so many people have been in touch saying what a wonderful time they had with their children. For many something like this would have been unaffordable and out of reach. Israr you made this happen. We thank you!!!
A mother of four said normally taking her children to something like this wouldn't be possible. She was so thankful for this Eid celebration, her kids has an amazing time, they got to eat, play and be part of something so special. This is why we do this and why its so important!
I didnt realise @CicSahara was on twitter. I just want to say a massive thank you for sponsoring our Eid family celebration again. Without you this would not have been possible. Israr we are so thankful for your support. Not all hero's wear capes!!! https://t.co/ideXXB3EXU