Young adults who have grown up in care enjoyed a festive meal and danced the afternoon away at two special Christmas parties in Derby and Burton.
More than 150 teenagers and young people from East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire and Derby who have been through the care system tucked into a turkey dinner with all the trimmings as they were treated like royalty.
The event is run by volunteers and members of the Derbyshire Freemasons to make sure everyone has a Christmas treat. The majority of those who attended are too old to be in care and live alone, meaning Christmas can be a particularly lonely time where they are left feeling isolated.
Trandeep Sethi, district leader for children’s services for South Staffordshire at Staffordshire County Council, came up with the idea for the party originally after finding young people who had been through care had committed suicide around Christmas.
After speaking to others who had been through the system, he found that loneliness was a major reason behind it. The party, which was held at the Ashfield House freemason hall in Burton, has continued to grow each year.
This year a second party was added at the Freemasons Hall in Littleover for the first time.
Mr Sethi said: “It’s absolutely amazing and year on year it gets bigger and better. The reason why we started it was very tragic as young people had committed suicide in the run up to Christmas.
“Since we started the party there have been no more – it’s so important as no young person should be alone. They can come here and make friends, have a Christmas meal and enjoy the entertainment. All the guys here also volunteer their time for free.”
Malcolm Prentice, a member of the lodge and the managing director of Moira-based rail maintenance firm MTMS, has hosted the event every year.
He said: “We welcomed more than 150 of the most special young people for a Christmas lunch and plenty of fun. These people would not get a proper Christmas without this. They have not got parents or people to go to at Christmas so they are most likely to be on their own.
“This is about spreading some Christmas joy and making sure everyone is happy so we all have a very enjoyable festive season and they have not been forgotten.
“This year we welcomed 150 young people and raised over £10,000. Next year we want it to be bigger and better by helping 300 people across four venues.”
Many of the young people who attended told how they overcome their own anxieties and nerves of social situations to be there but have every intention of returning next year.
Aaliyah Fellows, 19, said: “I’ve come here to help with my anxiety when it comes to socialising with people I don’t know. I needed to get out of my comfort zone and socialise.
“It’s the first time I’ve been here and I didn’t know if I was going to turn up due to my anxiety but I’ve had a good day and enjoyed it.
“My advice would be that you might have some anxiety but once you get in you feel more confident. Everyone is chatty and we’re all here for the same reason.”
Hayli Millar, 17, has just had her first child seven weeks ago. She said: “I came to get out of the house. I’ve just had a baby so I don’t tend to see people my age.
“My personal adviser told me about it. I don’t tend to go to social events as I’m not a very sociable person. I’ve just come for the experience as I didn’t know if I would like it or not but I think I’ll got to more events now.”
Molly Wynn, 18, said: “It’s been good and entertaining. I’ve been to some events before but not as big as this one. My personal advisor kept saying it would be good for me to come and meet some people as I don’t really go out.
“I came out of care in September and I came here to meet people my own age. I’ve just passed my driving test so I can get out more and I think it builds my confidence.
“I hope to keep in touch with some of the people I’ve met afterwards.
“I was nervous the first time but then you get used to it. You do make friends and it’s a good way to socialise. There are people here I can relate to and a lot of use have had similar experiences.”
It was the first time that Danni Allen, 20, had attended the party. He said: “Because it’s for people who have lived in care we all have that shared experience and it’s a place where we can make friends.
“Everyone knows what boat everyone else is in.”
Anna Jones, 20, said: “It’s just about mingling with everyone and getting to meet old friends that you’ve not seen all year and catch up on all the gossip. This is the second year that I’ve been here after being told about it through my personal advisor.
“I would say to others to just come and try it as you never know, you might like it. I was hesitant at first but I’ve made loads of friends.”
Cleon Delaney, 19, said: “For me it’s about meeting new friends and seeing old ones as you mingle with everyone. I think the party is a really good idea.
“It is a chance to meet other care leavers just before Christmas and make new friends.”
Entertainment was provided through The Waiter Experience with Andy Gale and Lisa Jane Kelsey; and professional artist Esme Barber. The Derby party had an extra bonus entertainment as professional dancer Myki Jaze a performance to huge cheers from the crowd.
