The City of Wolverhampton Council helps young people make the move out of care and into independent living, and to take advantage of education, employment and training opportunities that are available to them.
Those young people who have recently moved out of care, or will shortly do so, will be taking part in a variety of activities to highlight their progress and celebrate their successes.
They include an Education, Employment and Training showcase at Molineux Stadium and the annual Care Leavers Cup football tournament with care leavers from Walsall, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Hereford.
Eight young people will enjoy a Changing Rooms style makeover with the support of Wolverhampton Homes where they will decorate a crash pad, learning valuable decorating and life skills ready for when they get their own home.
Young people not currently in education or work will complete a series of outdoor challenges at Wildside Activity Centre, promoting confidence, teamwork, and communication skills.
There will be a baby group and stay and play, wellbeing afternoon and a night at the movies at the Oasis Hub, and they will celebrate Halloween with delicious food from around the world. Oasis Hub will also host 2 regular meetings of the Indi Group, which helps young people develop the skills they need to live independently.
Young people will take part in an annual review of the Local Offer for care leavers, at which a new loyalty card will be formally launched, giving care leaves a range of valuable discounts.
Meanwhile, the lights in the atrium at the Civic Centre will be turned blue to raise awareness of Care Leavers Week. The Care Leavers Independent Collective Forum chose blue as being a cheerful, positive colour.
Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Care Leavers Week is an important and enjoyable week for all the young people who either have, or are, making the transition from being in care to starting their journey towards independent living.
"As a council, we work hard to ensure our care leavers are fully supported and celebrated through this important and exciting time, to make sure that this first step into adulthood is the best it can be."
This year, National Care Leavers’ Week, which runs until Wednesday 1 November, is calling on the public, professionals, carers, decision-makers and the media to CARE – Celebrate care leavers, Amplify their voices, Raise awareness of challenges and Encourage change in policy and practice.
Wolverhampton's Local Offer for care leavers aged between 16 and 25 provides information about a wide range of services which could help young care leavers prepare for adult life. It includes details of support which they are entitled to by law, as well as additional services that the council has been able to secure with the help of partner organisations. For more information, please visit Wolverhampton Children in Care.
