Achievements of Buckinghamshire’s children in care celebrated at special awards event

The children and families enjoying the activities and the sunshine. (Image supplied by Buckinghamshire County Council)

The achievements of Buckinghamshire’s children in care have been celebrated at a special awards event.

More than seventy of Buckinghamshire’s children in care and care leavers attended the special awards event which was hosted by the County Council.

Now in its ninth year, the annual event celebrates and recognises the academic, personal and sporting achievements of the looked after children and young people leaving care in Buckinghamshire.

Ranging in age from tiny babies to young adults, the children and young people were nominated by professionals working with them in a number of categories, including overcoming difficult circumstances, coping admirably with change and for achievements within education, training or sport.

The audience at the event listened to speeches by one of Buckinghamshire’s foster carers and two Buckinghamshire care leavers. One of the care leaver who is now in her early twenties explained how her difficult childhood had diminished her self belief, making her think she was not good enough.

However with the support of her foster parents and the team around her, she found herself in a more positive place, regained her confidence and has turned her life around. She has since become a qualified French teacher after achieving a 2:1 degree in Law and French from a London University.

There was a host of different activities for the guests to take part in outside all based on an the theme of ‘around the world’. There were also bouncy castles, crazy golf and a penalty shoot out for those who like football.

Each child and young person was presented with

An individual certificate of achievement and a gift voucher was presented to each child and young person who attended the event. The gift voucher was kindly donated by The Entertainer toyshop.

One of the hosts at the event was Warren Whyte, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Buckinghamshire County Council. He said: ‘I am always humbled by the achievements of our children and young people in care and today’s event shows just how much can be achieved despite having to overcome some really challenging times.

I find hearing about their achievements very inspiring and I am incredibly proud of every one of our children in care. It’s been a fabulous day celebrating with everyone.‘

Co-hosting the event with Warren was Tolis Vouyioukas, Executive Director of Children’s Services at Buckinghamshire County Council. He said: ‘Today was about recognising the amazing achievements of our children and young people in care and care leavers; a day full of celebration and inspiration.

We are very proud of all of our children and young people in care and they deserve this recognition and the chance to come together and celebrate.

For the second year running, we are very grateful to Gary Grant of The Entertainer toy shop who donated a gift voucher for every child and young person as well as providing sports and play activities; this was a very kind and generous gesture from a local company to support our local children and young people in care. I would also like to thank Telnik Roofing Limited for their generous support and all of our other sponsors, without whom this day would not be possible.

Our foster carers, social work staff and We Do Care participation workers play such a big part in the lives of our children and young people in care and care leavers, I want to say a big thank you to them for the much needed support they provide at such difficult times in our children’s lives.‘

The local businesses and organisations who supported the 2019 event are :

• The Entertainer
• Telnik Roofing Limited
• Silverson
• The Alex Timpson Trust
• Garnett Interactive
• Tofield Ltd

Every year Buckinghamshire County Council holds the celebration event to recognise and celebrate achievement among the children in its care and its care leavers.

The County Council is always looking for new foster carers to join our team of amazing people. Further information can be found on the Buckinghamshire County Council website at www.buckscc.gov.uk/fostering.

*Source of article : Press release from Buckinghamshire County Council.