Skip to content

Gloucestershire care leaver shortlisted for national ‘Local Hero’ award

Published
Becca, a Gloucestershire Care Leaver, is a finalist for the ‘Local Hero’ award at the national ‘Celebrating us’ awards this week.

The ‘Celebrating us’ awards are part of the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum’s Annual National Celebration Event which will be held in Birmingham on Wednesday 8 November. 

The National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum (NLCBF) is made up of over 125 local authority leaving care teams, working together to share good practice and improve services and support for care experienced young people.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Supporting Care Experienced Individuals with Specific Needs’ and it aims to inspire, hear experiences, learn about new ways to support care leavers and have fun.

The ‘Celebrating Us’ awards will shine a light on the strengths and achievements of young people from across the country and Becca is one of two care leavers from Gloucestershire who will be attending the event.

Becca was nominated by Della Keith, Participation Manager at Gloucestershire County Council, for her passion, enthusiasm and hard work making a difference for care experienced children and young people. Della said: “She goes above and beyond, thinking of others before herself, and has a natural ability to engage with others whose quieter voices may otherwise go unheard.”

Becca said: “I really appreciate being nominated for this award, I didn’t see it coming. I’m really excited to see the impact that other young people have made across the nation, and I hope this event gives a push to local authorities to encourage their young people to get involved and make a difference.”

The winner of the ‘Local Hero’ award will be announced at the event on Wednesday and the award will be presented by Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne who is a patron of Catch 22 the charity which formed the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum.

Cllr Stephen Davies, cabinet member for children’s safeguarding and early years at Gloucestershire County Council said: “I am delighted that Becca’s achievements will be celebrated at this year’s ‘Celebrating us’ awards which recognises fantastic care leavers from across the UK. This nomination is testament to her passion, dedication and hard work and she should be very proud of herself and the positive impact she has on others.

“I wish Becca the very best of luck and I hope all of the amazing young people attending this event have a wonderful time.”