Stars in our eyes

An evening of awards and entertainment took place on Friday, November 10, at Hereford Racecourse to celebrate the achievements of children and young people in the care of Herefordshire Council.
 
More than 150 people enjoyed performances by young singers and dancers and a display of young people's contributions to VOICES, the local group for children in care, over the past year.

Members of VOICES interviewed adults including Shaun McLurg, the new Head of Safeguarding and Assessment Services, and a teacher, who had been nominated by a young person for an award as a “special person”.

The evening ended with dancing and fireworks.
 
During the event 18-year-old Becki Trigwell  received an award for her achievements which include being an excellent role model for young people in care.
 
Becki, a founder member of VOICES, spoke to the group about her ideas for gathering children's opinions on the recent Green Paper “Care Matters”.

Becki will be working with break-dancers from Hereford’s Courtyard Centre for the Arts to enable young people to express their views and to prepare a presentation and performance to foster carers and other members of the Council.

The young people's views will form part of Herefordshire Council's response to the government on this important set of proposals to improve care for young people.
 
Cllr Rule received a special presentation of an album including photographs and mementoes of important moments in his work as Lead Member of the Corporate Parenting Group with the children and young people over the past four years. 
 
“I’ve been a councillor for 15 years and I can honestly say that last Friday’s event has been one of the highlights,” said Cllr Rule.

“We’re so proud of our young people. What they manage to do, despite their own difficulties, is amazing - they always come up with the goods,” he added

“On top of this, it was a wonderful surprise to receive the album of photographs and mementoes. This is such a special gift which I will treasure.”