Young people who grew up or spent time in the care system enjoyed an afternoon of festive fun, food and music when they came together for their annual Christmas party.
Around 100 young people aged 16 and upwards were driven in from across Staffordshire specially for the event, which took place at Ashfield House, in Ashby Road, Burton, last Friday.
The event, which featured a magician, musical entertainment, an appearance from Santa Claus and face painting, takes place every year, courtesy of a host of volunteers including representatives of the Derbyshire Freemasons and Swadlincote rail depot maintenance firm MTMS raising money and giving up their time.
The party was first held nine years ago to give the care-leavers, many of whom live on their own, a Christmas treat and spoil them at a time when many feel lonely and isolated without a family to celebrate with.
The events are held in the same spirit, but they have become an annual reunion for care-leavers who don’t see each other during the year, while many of the young people now bring their own children along to share the fun too.
Among them was care-leaver Maddy Taylor, 21, from Lichfield, who attended the party with her two-year-old daughter, Neveah.
She said: “There hasn’t been much for the young kids in previous years, but there’s more entertainment for them now and it’s better.
“I was 15 when I was put into care and I lived with a foster family until I was 18, when I started living independently. I will see my mum on Christmas Day but there are some people here who haven’t got family so won’t have anyone to celebrate it with.
“It’s nice for them to have this party, and I enjoy coming here because there are some people I haven’t seen since last year and it’s a chance for us to reconnect.”
Seventeen-year-old Rebecca Dunn, from Lichfield, meanwhile, was attending her first party and was determined to enjoy it.
She said: “I don’t know anyone here but I feel like it’s a really good opportunity for me to become more outgoing and get to know more people.
“I still live with my foster family and we do have a good time at Christmas, but I understand how some people here might not like it, because it’s not for everyone.”
Around 30 volunteers were on hand to make sure the party ran smoothly, including Shane Wright, area manager, and Sarah Russell, a stock control manager, both from Booker in Burton, and Aaron Knight, managing director of Ask2Build, from Sheffield.
Also helping out was Adam Lynch, owner of Optimus Installations, a fire protection and construction firm based in Burton.
He said: “Volunteering was a great experience. You could see everyone relaxing as the event went on.
“Everyone deserves to have a good time at Christmas, so seeing them all enjoying themselves and smiling was the icing on the cake.”
Malcolm Prentice, group chairman of MTMS, said: “It’s fantastic to see the same faces coming back every year and we know that they enjoy being reunited with friends they will have made last year.
“We can’t imagine not holding these events now. It is always a challenge to raise the money to pay for everything, but the hard work and the effort on the day is all worth it.”
A second party, for care-leavers living in Derby and Derbyshire, taking place next Wednesday at Derby Masonic Hall in Littleover.
You can donate to the Christmas appeal by visiting www.careleavers.co.uk
