Welcome to National Care Leavers Month 2026 - Leading the way from experience to empowerment
National Care Leavers’ Month is a UK-wide month of awareness, celebration, and advocacy for care‑experienced young people. This November, we’re celebrating National Care Leavers’ Month with a programme of FREE events and activities just for care leavers across Gloucestershire.
As your corporate parent, Gloucestershire County Council is here to support you, champion your ambitions and help you achieve your goals. Whether you want to try something new, develop skills, meet other care-experienced young people or simply have some fun, there’s something for everyone.
Step 1: Take a look at all the events below.
Step 2: Places are limited and booking is required for most events. Only one registration is needed, per person, and you can request multiple events. 👉 Complete the online registration form early to secure your place.
Step 3: If you have any queries, please speak to your Personal Adviser or the Leaving Care Team.
Step 4: Wait for confirmation from the event organiser who will confirm your place. Vouchers will be sent to the email address provided.
Step 5: Travel costs may be covered for some activities. Please speak to your Personal Adviser if you need support with travel costs.
Free Cinema Tickets for Care Leavers +1
Relax and enjoy a free trip to the cinema during National Care Leavers’ Month. Funded Cineworld tickets are available for care leavers and a friend or supporter, including options that may suit care-experienced parents and children.
📆 All dates in November
📍 Cineworld cinemas
👉 Complete the online registration form.
Celebrating the Creativity and Talent of Care Leavers
Visit the Care Leavers Creative Showcase at Shire Hall Reception and discover the creativity, talent and achievements of care leavers across Gloucestershire. The exhibition will showcase artwork, photography, poems, stories and other creative pieces reflecting young people’s journeys, experiences and aspirations. The display celebrates care leavers as individuals, challenges stereotypes and raises awareness of their strengths, skills and contributions.
To submit an entry to the Showcase with or for a care leaver, please contact carol.hewitt@gloucestershire.gov.uk by 31 October 2026.
Open to the public, no booking needed.
📆 From Monday 2 November 2026 (Monday to Friday only)
⏰ 9am - 5pm
📍 Shire Hall Reception
👉 No booking needed - just pop in!
A Day Out at Alton Towers
Join us for an exciting day at Alton Towers, giving care leavers the opportunity to have fun, strengthen friendships and create lasting memories.
📆 Monday 2 November 2026
⏰ 8.15am - 7pm
📍 Alton Towers
🚙 Free travel included
👉 Complete the online registration form.
Gloucester Comic Con
Join us at GL1 for a world of cosplay and all things pop at Gloucester Creed Comic Con. Bring a friend for free!
📆 Sunday 8 November 2026
⏰ 10am - 4pm
📍GL1 Leisure, Bruton Way, Gloucester, GL1 1DT
👉 Complete the online registration form.
Free Theatre Tickets for Back to the Future - The Musical
Enjoy a trip to the theatre to see Back to Future - The Musical, winner of best new musical in 2022!
📆 Wednesday 11 November 2026
⏰ 2.30pm - 5.30pm
📍 Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ
🚙 Free travel included
👉 Complete the online registration form.
London Sightseeing
Discover some of London’s most famous sights on a small-group day trip. Plans include a sightseeing tour and a Thames cruise. Enjoy the capital together in a welcoming group.
📆 Wednesday 11 November 2026
⏰ All day
📍 London
🚙 Free travel included
👉 Complete the online registration form.
Leave Your Mark: Help Create a Permanent Care Leaver Mural
Be part of a two-day creative project at The Hideaway and help design a permanent graffiti mural created by care leavers for young people. No previous experience is needed. Refreshments included.
📆 Thursday 12 and Friday 13 November 2026
⏰Thursday: 11am - 1pm and Friday: 11am - 4pm
📍 The Hideaway, off Barbican Reception, GL1 2JB
👉 Complete the online registration form.
Pig's Pizza and Music Works
Develop practical skills, explore future career opportunities and express your creativity at an event combining pizza-making with Pig's Pizza and Music Works.
📆 Tuesday 17 November 2026
⏰ 11am - 3pm
📍 Trevone House, 22 Denmark Road, Gloucester, GL1 3HZ
👉 Complete the online registration form.
United for Change for Care Leavers at The Vox Conference
The event brings together representatives from public bodies, businesses and charities to hear from care experienced young people, share good practice and commit to collective change and action.
Gloucestershire County Council staff and our Ambassadors will be attending the conference. If you are interested in attending, please contact your Personal Advisor or the Leaving Care team.
📆 Tuesday 17 November 2026
⏰ All day
📍 The Vox Conference Venue, Resorts World Birmingham, B40 1PU
👉 Contact your Personal Advisor or the Leaving Care team.
Meet the Care Leaver Teams
Come along to a welcoming open day and meet Gloucestershire’s Care Leaver Teams. Find out how the teams support care leavers with anything from finances, health, education, employment or training. Ask questions, make connections and learn more about the opportunities and services available.
📆 Wednesday 18 November 2026
⏰ 1pm - 4pm
📍 The Hideaway, off Barbican Reception, GL1 2JB
👉 Complete the online registration form.
Creative Christmas Workshops for Care Leavers
Get creative, try something new, express your ideas and connect with others in a relaxed setting. Christmas creative workshops include sewing, card making and artwork.
📆 Thursday 19 November 2026
⏰ 10am - 4pm
📍 Southfields, Park Road, Stroud, GL5 2JQ
👉 Complete the online registration form.
Forest Green Rovers - Free Matchday Tickets
Enjoy the excitement of live football at a Forest Green Rovers v Southend match.
📆 Tuesday 24 November 2026
⏰ 7pm - 9.45pm
📍 Forest Green Rovers, The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, GL6 0FG
👉 Complete the online registration form.
Family Fun for Care Leavers and Their Children
Come along for an afternoon of bowling, socialising and family fun at Tenpin Gloucester. Care leavers will enjoy two games of bowling and a drink, while those with their children can enjoy soft play supervised by Personal Advisers. Only available for care leavers with children. Advance booking is required.
📆 Thursday 26 November 2026
⏰ 1pm - 3pm
📍 Tenpin Gloucester, Centre Severn, Barnwood Link Road, Gloucester, GL4 3HR
👉 Complete the online registration form.
Forest Green Rovers - Free Matchday Tickets
Enjoy the excitement of live football at a Forest Green Rovers v Tamworth match.
📆 Saturday 28 November 2026
⏰ 2pm - 5pm
📍 Forest Green Rovers, The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, GL6 0FG