A host of well-known faces including renowned antiques expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan, TV star Debbie Bright, artist Sophie Tea, and author Chris Wild joined forces with leading children’s charity, Action for Children to campaign for children in care outside the Houses of Parliament (9 September).
As part of the campaign, Action for Children released a new report called ‘A Place to Call Home’ which reveals that 91% of adults with care experience in the UK said that they felt lonely and isolated during their time as a child in care – and nearly one in five (18%) felt like this all the time.
With more than 83,000 children in care in England, the charity, which supports children in care, is calling on the new government to take steps to create new, high-quality homes and boost recruitment and support for carers.
Action for Children partnered with artist Sophie Tea to paint a large teddy bear installation in her signature style to mark the campaign and raise awareness of the issue to the UK’s decision makers outside of Parliament. Personal items like teddy bears may seem simple and taken for granted but for children in care, it can mean the world.
This issue is particularly close to the heart of Ronnie Archer-Morgan, who was in the care of Action for Children, previously known as National Children’s Home (NCH) between 1950 and 1955.
Thankfully, Ronnie had a positive experience in care. He said, “growing up in care saved my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the warmth and love from the home that took me in and nurtured me. I want that for every child in care – this is why I’m here today, campaigning for change because every child, regardless of the lottery of life, deserves to have a safe and happy childhood.”
Paul Carberry, chief executive at Action for Children:
‘Every child deserves a safe, loving and supportive home. That security gives them the foundations they need to thrive, both in childhood and later life. For children in care, the majority of whom have been through the very toughest challenges, this high-quality support is essential to help them recover from trauma. That’s what we strive to provide in the homes we run.
‘But we know that too often for children in care, that isn’t happening. We still hear regularly from children who have had poor, or even dire, experiences in care. There simply aren’t enough of the right types of homes for children in care in the right parts of the country, that can meet the needs of those children.
‘We need more, high-quality homes – in both foster and residential care – and a focus on recruiting and keeping brilliant carers that are well trained and properly supported to provide the care that children deserve. We want the new government to take steps to make sure the voices of children in care are heard, so they get the support, love and care they need to have safe and happy childhoods.’
