Reflecting on the past

“I am care experienced. I enjoyed being in care. I had my own room and felt like I had a say in every discussion and my own opinion on things that were happening. What made me happy being in care was feeling like I was a part of a family who loved and cared for me. Yes we had our ups and downs but that happens in all families.

“I enjoyed going on holidays and family days out but the most of all what I enjoyed was Christmas, not for the presents, it was when it came to Christmas dinner. half of the family came over and my little sister was there so it felt like I was staying at my grandparents with my sister and their family felt like my own. It felt wonderful that the family sitting around the table laughing and smiling ate their dinner, it always made me think if I wasn’t in care and my life was normal with no social worker or meetings or being in care, would I have a magical Christmas dinner like that, probably not.

“Looking back at me being in care from being in primary school up to the point I came out of it, it really wasn’t that bad I would say there are more happy moments than sad moments still to this day when I feel unhappy I think of a happy moment I had in care and it would make me smile. Being in care has been a great experience for me and it’s also very helpful for a job especially if you want to work with kids who are in care or have been in care.”