Young people from across Wiltshire came together recently for a special Star Awards ceremony.
The event, which was sponsored by Community Matters, Waitrose was held at Civic Centre, Trowbridge and provided an opportunity to celebrate the personal achievements of our children in care and care experienced young people.
The awards were split into four categories:
· Smashed It! – for those young people who have overcome significant challenges or done something special in their lives
· Future Pioneers! – for young people who have made progress in their education or are excelling in employment. Or for achievements such as sports or hobbies etc
· Taking Part! – for young people who have done something to help others in their community
· Voice Champion – for young people who have taken an active part in the Children in Care Council and/or shared their views to promote positive change
The children were nominated by teachers, personal advisors, social workers or foster carers for a variety of reasons. These included being on the interview panel for the Director of Families and Children role at Wiltshire Council, talking at the House of Commons about being an Unaccompanied Asylum Seeker, raising money for charities and working hard and never giving up at school.
Among the winners were Holly in the Voice Champion award category. Holly was nominated for working hard to get into university and adapting well to independent living. She is a valuable consultant for the Children in Care Council, helping with the interviews for the Director of Families and Children, interviewing applicants for foster carers and social workers.
Krishnel, was the winner in the Voice Champion award category. She was nominated for being a dedicated youth voice consultant and have helped by feeding back her views on important things such as Social Worker ASYE Panels, Interviewing the director for Children and Families and interviewing for a new Head of Service position.
Natasha Robbins, who compered the event, said, “As a care experienced person myself, I was so honoured to host the awards night and am so proud of every young person that is thriving and overcoming their everyday challenges and to all the teams at Wiltshire council that encourage and inspire a brighter future, I feel so blessed to be in a team that work with these young people that come from many different walks of life.”