Steven

Can you introduce yourself please? Okay this is the bit that’s always difficult isn’t it. I’m Steven, I’m 26 so I’m getting a bit old now. Grew up in Halifax, which is a bit dead, it’s a bit of a dead place and nowt really happens. Went into care when I was 7 and stayed…

Applying to University as a Care Experienced Person

A lot of the upheaval in my childhood happened during my GCSE years at school. I moved schools for year 11 and I can probably count the number of times I attended on both hands. I was made homeless by my dad and sofa surfed until I went into foster care. My foster parents encouraged…

Sophia

Sophia is 23 years old care leaver and the founder and co-host of the project, ‘Who cares about Research’, a podcast dedicated to disseminating cutting edge social research to the people it most affects. You can read Sophia’s interview here

Aspire to more in 2020

Four years ago, at the cusp of this project I was writing about raising aspirations. I was writing about the way in which aspirations are at the pinnacle of what makes us human.. I am still writing about it today. From birth we all adapt, grow and develop through observing others. Without this we would…

Available now ….

As part of National Care Leavers week 2019, we are proud to launch a new Aspire To More Blog, this time from one of York’s own care leavers – Shelly . “The reason for sharing my care experience is because I feel that there is power to sharing stories and I can contribute to raising…

Andi

Andi is our latest role model to share his experiences ……. ” I was born to a mother who had just left a residential home and she was 16. I entered care aged just 7 and excluded from school aged 15. I was addicted to drugs and exploited into crime aged 16 and sent to…

Reflections ….

As Aspire To More approaches its 3rd anniversary we want to take a moment to thank everyone for their tremendous support. The project started in Feb 2016 when a group of young people from Show Me That I Matter ( York’s Children in Care Council) along with Inspired Youth set about a journey to raise…

Nicola

As Care Leavers week draws to a close we are delighted to share with you another inspirational story by York Care Leaver Nicola. “I was very lucky to live with a family who gave me freedom to be myself, whilst also providing me with the stability that I needed. I had a really supportive social…