Achievements of children growing up in care celebrated

The annual Celebration of Achievement for Children in our Care and Care Leavers took place at Ewood Park.

The event, opened by Blackburn with Darwen Council Chief Executive Denise Park, was attended by children and young people in care and care leavers who were nominated for awards by their carers, schools and Children’s Services staff.

Categories of awards included academic achievement/progress, attendance, attitude to learning, music & the arts, sport, resilience/determination and making a positive contribution. In addition, there were a number of special awards for those who have particularly excelled in these areas.

University students and graduates were also celebrated as well as care leavers who have gained apprenticeships and moved into work including within the council.

Chief Executive Denise Park, said:

As corporate parents the Council has special responsibilities to care experienced children and young people, I’m always so delighted to attend this annual event and congratulate all our young people. We are very proud of them!

As well as the Chief Executive, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Jacquie Slater, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Phil Riley, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, Councillor Julie Gunn, Strategic Director of Children’s Services, Joanne Siddle and officers from the wider council and the Children’s Services Department all attended.

Councillor Julie Gunn said:

I love attending this special evening every year. It’s inspirational and we get to celebrate our incredible young people. They’ve worked hard to overcome life’s challenges and make a positive future for themselves and deserve all their success and more!

Rover the Dog (courtesy of Blackburn Rovers Community Trust), popped in to see everyone and the special guest for the evening was comedian Steve Royle who presented the awards and provided some great entertainment.

The crowd were treated to some positive affirmations read out as part of the opening by one of the younger children and a beautiful vocal performance from another young person.

The John Bury Trust attended and kindly sponsored two of the special awards and funded the vouchers for the special award winners with OSMIS Education Limited sponsoring the other special award trophies. All the award winners received a certificate and gift voucher.