United and Unique documentary launch

Young adults from South Africa and Northern Ireland, who have experienced foster care or child and youth care centres, have co-produced a documentary that shares their insights into alternative care and leaving care, and their hopes for change.

As part of our work on promoting the voice and agency of children, the film stems from the Amplifying Care-Experienced Voices project. The project is a collaboration between staff and care-experienced young people from the organisations Mamelani (South Africa) and VOYPIC - Voice of Young People in Care (Northern Ireland), along with academics from Queen's University Belfast and the Children's Institute.

The project connected care-experienced young people in the two countries, both in-person and online, to learn about the care experience in each country, to explore the similarities and differences, and to work together on the documentary that they can use to get their voices heard.

The South Africa launch of the documentary took place at The Labia Theatre in Cape Town in July, hosted by Mamelani and the young adults who participated in the film.

The priorities for change that the care-experienced young adults are calling for include:
• An end to the stereotyping and negative attitudes that can lead to stigma and discrimination for care-experienced young people.
• Opportunities to influence policy, practice and the law, and have their voices listened to.
• Champions who will make sure that the government pays attention to their needs.
• Supportive relationships throughout the process of leaving care and that continue afterwards.
• Mental health services that are easier for care leavers to access and that recognise them as a priority group.

As part of the engagement on the issues raised in the film, the Western Cape Social Development MEC Jaco Londt attended the screening and delivered a first response. This was followed by a panel discussion with the care-experienced youths.

The final project report will be published within the next few weeks.