I have always wondered whether partners understand my ethos. Phrases like ‘going the extra mile’ trip off the tongue, but how do we do that? And more importantly why? I run supported living and diversion programs looking after some of Hull’s most vulnerable 16-18-year-olds.
I went to a pupil referral unit. I can’t claim to have had a difficult childhood, like the young people I work with today. But clearly, my childhood experiences made me challenging. I was raised by my grandparents and I’ve overcome a lot to be in a position where I can now give back.
I commissioned Storyboard Media to make a social impact film for a conference hosted by the leading foster care and youth charity in Australia. The theme for the conference was resilience. I approached Storyboard to help me come up with a concept for the conference. We chatted about my business – Wild Intervention – and how it has grown out of my life story. Storyboard came up with the idea of looking at the care system in the UK and how and why Wild Intervention empowers care leavers. They found experts to interview who painted an honest picture of the adversity looked after children can face. Storyboard also brought my story to life. I even returned to the pupil referral unit I went to, to film with my former teachers. I am really proud of the film. It was shown in Australia last month. It was really well received and within a few hours of it being shown, I could see people from around the world were visiting my website. I didn’t expect the film to be the thing I needed to put into words what makes Wild Interventions tick and show what is in our DNA, but for me it has done that. It has also spurred me on to look at how we can listen to looked after teenagers and make changes for them.
I am now using the film to campaign for the UK Government to listen to care leavers. One of Hull’s MPs has already agreed to meet with me and I hope that we can work together to empower vulnerable young people who deserve every chance we can give them.
Some of you might be wondering why a Hull company was invited to take part in a conference taking place on the other side of the world. Australia has a special place in my heart. It changed my life. The story is told in the film: Watch it here:
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