We are proudly celebrating our county by shining a spotlight on the people that make it special. This is Extraordinary Essex and it includes Essex Social Care.
Essex Social Care has been running It’s My Life Festival for over 25 years. It brings together young people in care from similar backgrounds so they can create lifelong memories.
The festival comes from our Children in Care Council and offers a range of activities for different age groups. This includes football, archery, arts and crafts, high ropes and more.
Charlotte used to go to the festival when she was in social care. Now, she returns as a peer mentor. She said: “This is what I want to do, genuinely, for the rest of my life. Just help children that were, or are, in similar situations that I was. Just help them be the best people they can be.
“Growing up as a younger child, I wasn’t exposed to things like this. I want children from a very young age going through tough times to know this is available to them. They can experience good things and have fun.”
Sue is a kinship carer who brought up Dillan since he was a baby. Now he is 13, It’s My Life Festival helps through the tough times. Sue said: “The journey’s been a bit rocky, a bit up and down, and these events are so good for him and to help his independence.”
Sheila Woodwood, Service Manager, explained why It’s My Life Festival is extraordinary: “The young people are extraordinary because they have faced and overcome challenges in their lives. They are extraordinary because we learn from them constantly. The energy they bring to things like this make it enjoyable for everyone.
“When you’re a child who lives in the care system it’s quite easy to feel isolated. Here, it’s really important because it’s safe, everybody’s in the same position, and people understand what’s going on in each other’s lives.”
Natalie Vince, Involvement Lead, added: “The festival offers so many opportunities for so many different people.
“Not just our social care staff or young people, which are now coming through as volunteers. We also reached out to the community and our partners to give them volunteering opportunities they probably would never have in their everyday lives.”
Watch the full video about It’s My Life Festival on our Extraordinary Essex channels.
Find out more about Essex Social Care on our website.