Published on Wednesday 02 November 2022
A joint project led by young care leavers and BCP Council has received the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum Best Project of the Year Award 2022.
The award celebrates the success of the 333 Care Leavers Hub in Bournemouth. Launched in August 2022, the hub is a joint project led by young people and supported by BCP Council.
The hub follows two years of partnership working. Young care leavers were involved every step of the way, helping to choose a venue in central Bournemouth, as well as the building, decorating and furnishing process.
The space is now used for well-being sessions and practical learning workshops, supporting young care leavers with everything from cooking to budgeting. It is a place created with young people for young people.
Councillor Mike White, BCP Council’s Portfolio Holder for Young People, said:
"Young people and colleagues alike were so proud to receive the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum Best Project Award.
"A massive well done and thank you to the young people who have really made this project come to life. Also, to the teams that support the young people – what a fantastic achievement by all.’
One of the young people with input into the project said: "I’m really proud to have been involved in this project from start to finish and the care experienced young people in BCP are really lucky to have access to a service like this’.
Local Authorities have a responsibility to act as Corporate Parents for young people who have been in their care. BCP doesn’t see this as simply a legal requirement but aims to ensure these young people truly know they are cared about as part of BCP’s extended family and will be supported up to the age of 25 and beyond to build the future they deserve.