Child's heartwarming letter shows value of care support

Friday 15 February 2019

Charity staff have been praised in a heartwarming letter from a young person they supported while in care, who told them, "I wouldn't have been able to move out and be independent if it wasn't for your generosity!"

Brightly (formerly Brig-y-Don Children’s charity) supports children who are being looked after in States care, leaving care, or foster care, from their birth to 25 years, as well as others who are suffering adversity and are in need.

The letter from the young care leaver is reflective of just one of many success stories thanks to the efforts of the charity. Run by Wendy Nerac, Steve Harvey and Allison Le Blancq, Brightly helped 263 children and young people with 419 disbursements in 2017.

On 'Care Day' (15 February) today, the team wanted to "celebrate the strengths, resilience and ambition of local care-experienced children and young people, despite the, now well-documented, difficult time many people will have experienced in Jersey’s care system.

Pictured: Wendy Nerac, Fundraiser, Steve Harvey, Chief Executive, and Allison Le Blancq, Coordinator.

To give a glimpse of what young people can achieve with the right support, Brightly shared what care-experienced children, young people and professionals have told them.

One care leaver, who was supported by the charity from the age of 16 to 21, described the team as 'True Legends', who "helped through to my independence and assisted me to get transport as well".

Another sent "the biggest thank you" to the team for their help and support in a letter (below). "I can't begin to describe how grateful I am I wouldn't have been able to move out and be independent if it wasn't for your generosity," they added. "Thank you for always supporting me."

Pictured: A 'Thank You' note received by the Brightly team.

A Family Support Worker reported that a young man whose training was funded by Brightly had secured a summer job in the UK on a farm. "He phoned me today, to say he has had a great summer in the UK working long hours on the farm, but he has enjoyed every minute," they wrote.

The young man has since moved to another part of the country to work on another farm doing a similar job.

"Please accept my sincere thanks for supporting him, the help he received enabled him to get work and be independent, added to that, he’s also had a great summer meeting new people and making new friends," the support worker added.

Pictured: A Social Worker said the difference Brightly made on the lives of two children who had lost their mum couldn't be underestimated. 

Another Social Worker, who contacted Brightly seeking support for two children who had recently lost their mother, praised the charity for the generosity it showed them.

"The difference you have made to their lives cannot be underestimated and as their Social Worker, I would like to thank you and your colleagues and supporters - it just means so much."

They said the children's carer had been "speechless and amazed" by the Christmas gift vouchers the charity gave and thanked the team "from the bottom of the heart."

Brightly vowed in December to "continue to enrich the lives of vulnerable children and young people by supporting them through difficult times, identifying and addressing their unmet needs and thereby restoring their self-confidence, trust in those around them as they mature, and grow."

They also pledged "to forge and maintain a professional and collaborative working relationship" with the Government, whom they described as the key player in the sector.

The Government recently appointed Jersey’s first Children’s Rights’ Officer, a new role for the island recommended by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry. Sheree Maher has been working for the Government since 2002 in Education, Complex Needs Short Breaks Services and Residential Services for children. 

Describing her role, Ms Maher said it aimed to support children and young people who are looked after, as well as those who have previously been looked after by ensuring that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Pictured: Sheree Maher, Jersey’s first Children’s Rights’ Officer.

"The role promotes and protects those rights and ensures that children and young people are aware of their entitlements," she explained. "The role empowers and supports children and young people to express their views, wishes and choices to ensure that they remain involved in all decisions which affect their lives. Children and young people are encouraged to participate and contribute to future service developments, helping to influence and effect positive change.”

She added that the role of the Children’s Rights’ Officer has the potential to positively affect children’s lives. "I want to encourage, enable and empower children and young people to be actively engaged, to participate in discussions, decision making and to be supported to express themselves, creating their own paths with the help and support of the appropriate people," Ms Maher said.

"My true passion has always been to represent children, ensuring their views, wishes and feelings are acknowledged and acted upon. My focus is always the child, trying to see the world through their eyes and their experiences.”