Wednesday 11th December was a momentous day for the Cares team and members of our Joining Up Joining In group.
We joined care campaigners Terry Galloway and Chris Wild, alongside other CEYP from the Midlands, to attend parliament and hand in a petition to Number 10 Downing Street.
For many Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) the threat of homelessness is very real and in particular for university leavers such as Daveena and TJ (pictured). For many, the place where they have built a home, a community and a life is under threat due to outdated “local connection” housing rules which would mean many CEYP graduates having to return to areas that carry many unhappy memories, where they have no connection and, once again, young people have no say in how and where they live their lives.
As stated in the ITV News report on our visit, Care Experienced Young People are nine times more likely to become homeless than the general population. These young people very rarely have suitable family situations to fall back on, less the “bank of mum and dad” to set them up in their first home.
For our young people this visit was so important because in their words they felt “visible” “important” and “listened to”.
We were warmly greeted at the Houses of Parliament, against the backdrop of a noisy tractor protest and the buzz of PMQs, by MPs Chris Law (SNP) , Jessica Morden ( Labour) and Darren Paffrey (Labour) with a quick fly by hello from Josh McAllister MP. We were treated to the VIP/ behind the scenes tour, with Chris in particular keen to explain the history of the beautiful art and sculptures.
As the group convened in St Stephen’s Chapel, the original debating chamber, we voted and formed our Cross – party group which, we hope, will grow in its membership and begin to bring Care Leavers Rights to the fore.
At 2pm Terry, Chris Wild and four young people entered the gates of parliament, unfazed by the heavy armed guard and deafening sound of tractor horns and approached the famous door.
Adorned by a beautiful wreath and the signature Christmas Tree our group were met by a friendly “copper” and no other than a curious Larry the cat (surely the highlight of the day).
ITV news were there to capture this momentous occasion and you can view the news report here (first featured story)
Our JUJI group are immensely proud of our young people and fed back on the day:
“ me myself and many other care leavers are next in line to being homeless , I hope you know that this means a lot to us – thanks a lot to Daveena and TJ !”
Soliana - Care Leaver and member of the Joining Up Joining In group