A BCP Council apprentice has helped improve support for children moving between care homes.
Ivy Forest, 25, helped end the use of black bin bags for children in care locally after recalling how being moved with her belongings packed this way made her feel “like we were being thrown away all over again”.
Young people entering care are now given a suitcase, duffel bag or rucksack, with Ivy saying the change shows “they matter” during an unsettled period in their lives.
She now works as a Housing Options Officer apprentice in Early Help Homelessness Prevention, helping families remain in their homes or plan moves before they need temporary accommodation.
Ivy’s work with BCP Council began aged 13 through Willow’s Story, a drama project which gave council leaders, social workers and members of the judiciary an insight into experiences of care.
She later became co-chair of the Corporate Parenting Board alongside Councillor Richard Burton, while also mentoring younger children and contributing to service development, training and recruitment.
Councillor Burton said Ivy had made “a real impact” by speaking up for herself and other young people.
Ivy plans to continue supporting others as an adult volunteer after stepping back from her current young people’s role.
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