The YPBMF and NLCBF events earlier in the year provided a powerful platform for our Champions and Legends to come together and share their perspectives on a theme that resonates deeply with many care-experienced young people: People, Place, and Purpose. This theme, while simple, holds a lot of significance, encompassing the fundamental elements that contribute to well-being, stability, and the ability to thrive. In this collaborative blog post, three of our YPBMF members – Ezra: Champion, Tom: Champion, and Aisha: Legend – reflect on what People, Place, and Purpose mean to them, and how these concepts shaped their experiences at the events.
What Does People, Place, and Purpose Mean to Us?
What’s great about ‘People, Place, and Purpose’ is that it’s flexible; it means different things to different people, and everyone’s experiences are unique. As Ezra puts it, for him, “Having somewhere safe to live and having people around you that make you feel safe. It means you are able to be yourself, free to live how you want to.” Tom echoes this, emphasizing that while “Myself, my home, school, and work are all linked to this theme,” the core of it lies in “feeling happy and safe.”
Aisha goes on to explain how these things are linked: “People, place, and purpose means an immense lot to me. Having the right people around you is vital, especially when your life situation might not be the best at the time… Place within a stable home or within society is vital in order for success… Life without purpose equals nothing. Finding purpose within yourself of small and long term goals is essential.”
These reflections highlight a common thread: the importance of safety, support, and agency in shaping a positive future.
Safe & Affordable Homes: Our Perspectives
A key discussion point at the events was the issue of Safe & Affordable Homes. All three of our champions and legends shared their experiences and views on this critical topic. Ezra emphasizes the fundamental need for a safe home, stating, “Having a safe home is important for care experienced young people. It is not guaranteed that we always had a safe and stable home… When you’re at home you should be able to relax, and you should feel safe going out in the area and walking home at night.”
Tom brings the importance of location into the conversation, noting that “For me, location is more important than the actual building itself and it’s important to be in an area I feel comfortable and connected to.” He also shares a personal triumph, stating, “I haven’t always had good support in this area but recently this has changed, and my PA has helped me to get my own home, in an area I am happy, something which I never thought would happen.” It’s amazing to see the difference the right support can make.
The panel discussions provided a valuable opportunity for young people to share their insights with professionals and other care experienced individuals. Both Ezra and Tom highlight the supportive environment of these panels, with Legends providing guidance and creating a safe space for open dialogue.
Finding Purpose and Building Community
But it wasn’t just about the talks; the events were also a really important place to connect with others and grow as individuals. Aisha powerfully describes their “LedgeTalk” where they spoke about “purpose and finding my purpose in life but also reflecting on the last 10 years of my life and expressing that things do get better.” They also emphasized the importance of self-investment and advocating for future generations.
Ezra also talks about that feeling of belonging at YPBMF events: “YPBMF is a nice community and it’s been nice to get to know the other Champions and Legends. There is always somebody to talk with and if there’s been any issues they‘ve always been dealt with by the team.” Tom echoes this feeling, sharing that the events were “just amazing!” and that pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone helps build more confidence.
Aisha ends by highlighting how the events helped to lift people up: “The event is inspiring and has helped me restore faith within myself and ensured that I am not the only person fighting for change, that there is so many incredible young people and professionals that also hold the same values as myself.”
Reflecting on Our Voices
The events served as a reminder of the importance of People, Place, and Purpose in the lives of care-experienced young people. They provided a space for sharing experiences, advocating for change, and building a strong community. As these reflections demonstrate, when young people are given a platform to speak their truth and experiences, the impact can be profound – not only for themselves but also for the professionals and systems around them. Here at YPBMF, we’re really focused on creating spaces where these voices don’t just get heard, but are valued, and help lead to change.
