Date published: 2024-01-08 | Category: Adult Social Care and Health, Children's Services, Focusing on prevention, Communities and volunteering, Bath
A photography exhibition created by young adults in Bath and North East Somerset who have experienced being in care has gone on display at Bath Central Library.
The exhibition, ‘Care Leavers Lens’, was created at the end of 2023 by young people who have been in the care of Bath & North East Somerset Council and was originally exhibited at The Egg Theatre in October during national Care Leavers’ Week, before being showcased at Keynsham Library.
Now, residents and visitors have another chance to view the images as part of the libraries’ rolling programme of Art in the Library.
The photos each have a caption explaining why they are important to the young person who took them and will be on display until January 26.
The exhibition was organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council and Off The Record (BANES) as part of its celebration of national Care Leavers’ Week, which took place at the end of October.
The council works closely with Off The Record and its other partners to support young people who are leaving care, or who have already left care, up to the age of 25. All elected council members and officers take on the role of ‘corporate parent’ to looked-after children and care experienced young adults in B&NES.
The council currently supports 110 care leavers who are allocated to a personal advisor and a further 90 people aged between 21 and 25 can ask for support at any time.
Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “Art is a powerful way for people to express themselves and amplify their voices. It’s exciting that this wonderful exhibition is appearing locally for the third time so that more people can gain an insight into the perspectives of young people who have left care. It really is a thought-provoking display.”
The council recently signed up to the Care Leaver Covenant to become a Care Leaver Friendly Employer and support care leavers throughout their careers, as well as joining the Care Leavers App to make it easier to help, support and engage with young people who have left the authority’s care.
All the events taking place at Bath Central Library can be found on the libraries' blog
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