A group of care-experienced young people took part in a UK Parliament workshop on 19 February 2020, where they found out how they can have their voice heard on the issues that matter to them most. The group was made up of care leavers, unaccompanied asylum seeking minors and refugees, and young parents.
The workshop taught the young people the basics of how parliament works, from the House of Commons to the House of Lords and they also found out how to influence MPs and members of the House of Lords. The young people also discovered the many different ways they could take part in the important conversations going on in Parliament.
The group shared their experiences and frustrations of being a care experienced young person in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and looked at what issues affect them the most. They were then given the opportunity to contact their local MP, by sending them a postcard, and asking them to speak to them about those issues.
This workshop bought together a diverse group of young people where they came as individuals but left as an informed, mobilised active group of care experienced young people, that now felt that they had knowhow to engage in the political discussion about the system they live in.
If you are interested in having your voice heard around issues affecting care experienced young people contact Jacob at jacob@leicestershirecares.co.uk.
This article was originally published on the Leicestershire Cares.
