We can do anything we put our minds to - Liverpool care leaver

BBC

A teenager who grew up in care says she wants other young people going through the system to know they "can do anything they put their minds to".

Mollieanne, 18, from Liverpool, said being in care was "not anything to be embarrassed about", and should be "shouted about from the rooftops".

She was speaking after hosting the Celebrating Care Leavers: Making A Difference Together conference in the city.

It was the brainchild of Lord Mayor of Liverpool Richard Kemp, who has set up a £300,000 fund to help young people leaving care.

Mollieanne, who worked at Camp America this summer, said: "I love being the voice for care leavers."

"We've faced more difficulties than your average young person.

The teenager said the conference was a "big deal" as care leavers "don't get enough opportunities".

She said care could be a "taboo subject", adding: "There are a lot more challenges when you don't live with mum and dad, and when you don't have that security system around you.

She said it could be isolating to have "no one to laugh or cry with" or hug, or ask for help with homework.

The teenager said as well as more opportunities she would like to see people educated "to take away the judgement and stigma" surrounding care leavers.

"Overall we need to build a community who understand us and don't judge us," she said.

Mollieanne

Liverpool is home to more than 700 care leavers aged 18 to 25, according to Liverpool City Council.

The conference was set up to celebrate their achievements, understand their challenges, and explore how the business community can offer real, lasting support to help empower young people who have overcome extraordinary challenges.

Jenny Turnross, the director of Liverpool City Council’s children and young people’s services, who told the conference she too had been in care, said: "We envision a community where care leavers are fully supported, empowered, and able to thrive."

She said the conference aimed to make "a meaningful difference in their journey towards independence and success".

The fund set up by the Lord Mayor's office will be worth £100,000 a year, and will run for three years

Lord Mayor Kemp said: "Supporting care leavers is a cause deeply important to me, and I have dedicated my term to this vital work."

He said the money was there to fund "the sort of thing grandmas and grandpas help [young people] with" as they make the transition into adulthood.