Health and social care student Sammy Hallam is keen to raise awareness of the needs of care leavers and challenge stigma.
The 18-year-old, who is studying at The Sheffield College, is speaking out as part of National Care Leavers Week taking place this week.
Running from 28th October until 3rd November 2024, National Care Leavers Week champions the successes of young people who have lived in care.
The campaign also highlights the support offered to care leavers by different organisations including local authorities and educational institutions such as colleges.
Sammy, who previously spent 10 years in care, said: “I didn’t have a place that I would call home. There is a stigma to that.
“People tend to feel sorry for you and pity you when you say you’re a care leaver but that’s not what we need. We are not aliens. We don’t want to be treated differently.”
Sammy is involved with Speak Up Now (SUN) in Sheffield which provides practical advice and support to care leavers. One of the things the group has been doing recently is creating care packages for young people once they move out of care.
Previous government research has found that approaching adulthood and leaving care can be a challenging time for young people, which may affect their emotional wellbeing.
Sammy explained: “Our aim is to make Sheffield a better place for care leavers. When you leave care and live independently, you may not have much. You might not have a group of friends or you may struggle to afford to eat.
“We have been making care packages called comfy cozy crates. The packages include blankets, blinds, meal vouchers and a ring doorbell to help care leavers settle into their new homes.”
Sammy is looking to the future and what she would like to do as a career. When she completes her health and social care qualification, Sammy would like to work in a hospice or within the mental health field.
Shaista Rashid, Designated Teacher for CLA (Child Looked After), The Sheffield College, commented: “Sammy’s efforts to raise awareness and build understanding are a powerful reminder of the strength and potential within our care-experienced students. National Care Leavers Week is an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and reaffirm our commitment to their success.
"We understand the challenges that these students often encounter from accessing essential services to navigating independent living with little or no family support. Our curriculum and wellbeing services and pastoral, careers and safeguarding teams play a crucial role in providing academic guidance and emotional support.
“By identifying barriers, we’re able to offer tailored support and resources that recognise the resilience of our students and address their individual needs. We strive to equip them not only with qualifications but with the confidence and skills to thrive and build successful futures.”
