Ards Hospital’s Quality and Improvement Centre echoed to stories of hope, inspiration and happiness, as young people who have been, or who are being cared for by the South Eastern Trust, celebrated Care Day.
Now in its tenth year, children and young people with lived care experience were recognised for their outstanding achievements in education, sport and commitment to learning.
The Centre was thronged with young people and Trust staff to hear what can be achieved, “when everyone wraps around our young people.”
Local businessman and social media influencer Jay Millar, known to thousands of his followers as ‘Jay the Barber’ through his business and barber academy shared his own moving story of growing up in Care and how the young people should, “Have an aim and you’ll be surprised at the magic that can happen. Never give up.”
“I grew up in Care, going through the Care system with my brother Wayne who was knocked down and killed when he was just seven. I was like a bouncy ball. I was everywhere,” said Jay.
“I joined the Army and learned to cut hair. Being able to make people feel good meant a lot to me,” said Jay. “I bought my first shop in Bloomfield Avenue and now have the Academy and we are teaching 200 people a year. Teaching barbering is a life skill.”
When asked what advice he would give to the young people in the room, the 43-year-old replied, “Just never give up, have the strength within yourself and think positively. Have an aim, have a vision board and you’ll be surprised at the magic that can happen.”
South Eastern Trust’s Jade Herron shared her experience of growing up through the care system. “The Trust has so many opportunities for you, it has so much to offer. When I was younger I thought I could do it all by myself but there is help around you and my advice is to take it. I got so much support from the Trust’s H.O.P.E (Holistic Outcomes through Positive Experiences) Service programme and I want to help other people. My experiences made me what I am today, I’m really proud of where I’ve come and I really wouldn’t be where I am now without the help of the support services from the Trust,” said Jade.
Director of Children’s Services Lyn Preece explained how Care Day is vital.
“It is really important that we come together and celebrate the achievements of our young people and acknowledge what they do and the support that we give them. It is incredible to be here. Months and months of planning have gone into this celebration and despite the weather outside, it has not dampened anyone’s spirits and I am just so excited to be part of it!”
Assistant Director, Leaving Care Services and Cared for Children Marie-Louise Sloan added, “This is the tenth year of Care Day and we have come together to celebrate and appreciate our children and young people with Care experience. We have 50 young people with us today who are receiving certificates for their wide range of achievements, we are proud of all of our children and young people and are committed to support them and their care giving network.”
“We are grateful to our colleagues, families, community and voluntary partners who help us deliver care and support to our children and young people. Today we have partnered with Give and Take, a regional youth charity that supports young people from age 16 to 24, with Springboard, Kings Trust and Madlug whose ethos is underpinned by dignity for children in Care”
“We were delighted to have Jay the Barber here to talk about his experience, his key messages will be influential for our children, young people, families and carers. It has been a truly memorable day for all.”