Children and young people across Medway were invited to an egg-cellent event to learn how children in care’s voices are heard in Medway, and for an array of Easter fun.
We teamed up with The Young Lives Foundation for the Easter-themed event on Friday, 8 April to share the work of the Medway Children and Young People Council (MCYPC). The MCYPC provides a voice for children and young people in care, as well as care leavers in Medway. The MCYPC allows for positive changes to be made to care experiences and gives young people and care leavers the opportunity to make new friends, have fun and share issues.
The event had a fun spring twist, with Easter egg hunts, arts and crafts, karaoke and inflatable football to get children and young people into the Easter spirit. Attendees were also able to discover MCYPC achievements through a scavenger hunt.
The open day, which took place at Strood Youth Centre, saw more than 60 attendees, who were informed about the work of the MCYPC through Child-Friendly resources. The event aimed to reach more young people and care leavers in Medway, to get involved and get their voices heard.
We have recently signed the My Things Matter pledge, to ensure that children and young people in our care have their belongings treated with dignity, care and respect. As part of the pledge, bags will be given out to children and young people in care moving home, going forward.
Getting young people's voices heard
Cllr Josie Iles, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “I am so pleased that the Egg-Travaganza event was a success, with young people aged eight to 24 attending to find out more about the My Things Matter campaign and getting young people’s voices heard by the MCYPC. I was honoured to be involved in this Easter event, providing materials for MCYPC to attendees and having fun with the children we care for in Medway. I would encourage residents to find out more about the pledge and the young people’s council’s work. This event supports our aspiration to become a Child-Friendly City, putting children and young people at the heart of everything we do.”
Safe and positive environment
Ellie Fiore, Participation Coordinator for YLF, said: “It was great to get everyone together and to see young people connecting with professionals and meeting new people, surrounded by lots of Easter fun in a safe and positive environment. There was something for everyone! Thank you to everyone who was involved. We hope to have inspired more young people and care leavers to become members of the MCYPC and have their voices heard to make positive change for their care experience.”
Find out more about the Medway Children and Young People Council.