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To mark National Care Leavers’ Week (Monday 28 October – Monday 3 November), care-experienced young people and unaccompanied asylum seeker children decorated shoes to reflect their personal experiences. They were also invited to each write a short story about their experience in care. The young people’s anonymised stories are also included in the display, and they can be accessed through QR codes displayed alongside the shoes.
This art installation is part of a wide range of activities planned for National Care Leavers’ Week. For instance, there’s a meet and greet for care-experienced young people, as well as a meeting of the Care Leavers Forum. The Care Leavers team have also organised a range of competitions for care-experienced children and young people to get involved with.
Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s executive member for children’s services, families and lifelong learning, said: “The ‘Walk in my shoe’ art installation is an emotive and creative way for care-experienced young people to share the unique experiences that have shaped them.
“I’m delighted that these works of art are going on display at two locations in North Somerset. I’d urge people to come and visit, to better understand the experiences of our young people and have the chance to stand in their shoes.
“The installation should also be coming to a future Full Council, and I’m sure my fellow councillors will find the project as impactful as I have.
“As well as the ‘Walk in my shoe’ project, we’ve planned a wide range of events to celebrate National Care Leavers’ Week. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the entries in our competitions, which I will have the pleasure of judging alongside our Director of Children’s Services, Claire Shiels.
“As a council, we’re deeply committed to doing what’s right for our children and young people. The fantastic work that’s happening during Care Leavers’ Week showcases the hard work, creativity and commitment of our officers, and I’d like to thank them for all that they do.”