Leading the way: From experience to empowerment

The month of November is a chance for us to celebrate National Care Leavers’ Month, a where we recognise and celebrate those who have experienced growing up in care.

The celebration brings together the public, professionals, carers, decision-makers and the media appreciate the value and strength of care leavers, as well as providing a platform to raise awareness of the issues in the care system.

This years theme Leading The Way: From Experience to Empowerment looks at how care experienced individuals become strong leaders in their own lives, as well as recognising them as drivers of real change across the sector.

At Juno, we’ve always believed in the importance of listening to and learning from people who have grown up in care. Their experiences, perspectives and ideas help shape what we do and how we do it. We call these brilliant people our Experts by Experience.

Our Non Exec Director and Expert by Experience, Sherrie Austin, shares their thoughts reflecting on this year's theme and what that means to them…

I was really excited when I saw this year's theme for National Care Leavers Month. Before it even had a name, Juno was focused on empowering those with experience of the care system to make sure that we made homes where young people get what they need. We know that children need safe, joyful childhoods to set them up for adulthood, and too often this doesn’t happen.

Within my role as an expert by experience at Juno, I’m so lucky to be able to learn from my brilliant peers and our phenomenal staff. It’s clear that we have a culture of reflection, learning and love that sees the big picture and, most importantly, and acts in the best interest of our kids. Our experts by experience support Juno through their artistic talents, sharing professional knowledge and learning as well as personal, or keeping up the hope and aspirational thinking during the harder times.

I struggle to put into words how empowering it is to work alongside other care experienced people. Over my time with our team I’ve had the privilege to witness people become bolder with their ideas and more comfortable with themselves, such a caring space has welcomed anger as a teacher and has alchemised it into positive change. I know we still have a way to go, but I truly believe that with so many people working together in such a child centred, reflective way we really will make some beautiful memories.