There are a variety of opportunities to participate in shaping services and to meet other care experienced young people socially. Attending the Hub is a great way to get involved, share your experiences, and build connections with peers. We have created a safe space, where you can confident to share your views, feelings and experiences without judgement. We want you to find peer support at the hub, as well as confidence to advocate for yourself and each other.
Care Experienced Forum
The Care-Experienced Forum is a chance for young people aged 16 and over who have experience of care to come together in a regular, informal, and relaxed environment.
We meet monthly at the Hub on the second Wednesday of each month, after college or work, to make it as accessible as possible. During each session, we share food and drinks while discussing the issues that matter most to you.
Your views are important. We use the discussions from the forum to provide feedback to the Corporate Parenting Board, helping them understand the issues, experiences, and priorities that are most relevant to care-experienced young people. Together, we aim to influence services, ensure young people's voices are heard, and help shape improvements for others now and in the future.
We understand that attending meetings in person is not always possible. That's why the forum is also available online. If you would like to join virtually, please ask your Personal Adviser (PA) or Joanne for the meeting link.
Children and Young People’s rights officer, Joanne Gawne
Email: rightsandparticipation@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
If you would like to share your views but do not feel comfortable attending a group, we can arrange a one-to-one meeting instead. Speak to your PA or contact us at rightsandparticipation@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
This gives you the opportunity to share your thoughts, views, and experiences directly with the Young People's Rights Officer. Your feedback will be used alongside forum discussions to help shape services and support for care-experienced young people.
Your voice matters. We want to hear from you.
Corporate Parenting Board (CPB)
We have a care-experienced young person who is a permanent member of the Corporate Parenting Board and co-chairs meetings, helping to ensure that the voices of young people remain at the heart of every discussion.
If there is an agenda item that you feel particularly passionate about, you are welcome to attend and share your views directly with the Board. We would also love to hear from any young person interested in becoming a permanent member and helping to represent the views and experiences of others.
Updates from the Corporate Parenting Board are shared at our monthly forums, keeping you informed about the discussions taking place and the changes being made. This gives you the opportunity to stay involved, have your voice heard, and play an active role in shaping the services and support available to care-experienced young people.
Have your say
We support care experienced young people to participate in consultations, for the local authority as well as partner agencies, such as health. We always ensure that the outcomes will be used to improve the service offered to care experienced young people.
We recently supported a group of young people to consult with health over access to GP appointments and surgeries. The young people were able to share their experiences, both positive and negative and the young people reported feeling listened to and heard.
Social events
We have had a variety of social opportunities on offer. Taking part can sometimes feel outside of your comfort zone, however young people always report feeling better after meeting up with others. Some examples of our events include:
visiting local show productions
wellbeing walks
football games
barbecues
Get in touch
If you have ideas about what you might want to see at your local forum then please share with your Personal Adviser or contact:
Children and Young People’s rights officer, Joanne Gawne
Email: rightsandparticipation@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk