A group of care experienced young people have revealed what life is really like growing up in care in a powerful graphic novel.
The group from Salford, who are part of the Greater Manchester Youth Network GMYN), drew on their raw lived experiences of navigating the care system for the comic book titled Hear My Voice.
During workshops ran by GMYN the young people created avatars to represent key figures or experiences from their personal journeys. The avatars were then recreated by artist Paul Pickford for the book.
Max Healey, 17, who is currently living in a foster home in Salford, chose to share his experience to help other young people in care will feel less alone.
Within the comic book Max told the story of a dinosaur facing an oncoming meteor strike. The dinosaur’s story reflects his own experience of entering the care system, which he describes as feeling like a ‘catastrophic event’.
“It feels like you’re being rushed as soon as you get into the care system and you’re racing against time like a meteor heading straight down.
“The change of lifestyle feels very rushed, and you don’t really have control over it. The only option you have is to keep going even if you don’t feel comfortable. You go into a completely different family, and you’re expected to adapt straight away, it’s very daunting,” he said.
“I want other young people to know they’re not the only ones feeling that way. When you feel like your life is in a very extreme state it feels like you’re in that situation and no one else is and it’s hard to have someone to relate to.”
Luke Clark, 26, who went into care aged six, also shares his experience in the book and says it’s vital care experienced young people have their voices heard.
“I don’t mind sharing and being an open book. It’s important to get it out there, because what are we hiding?”, he said.
Luke hopes the book will be read by staff in social services to give them a deeper understanding of what life is really like for care experienced young people.
“I want to show people we’re not as bad as you think at the end of the day. I want the book to live on for years and for people to refer to it. I want social workers, PAs (personal assistants) and their managers to reflect on it.”
On what his message would be to other young people going through the care system, Luke said: “Things are going to work out. It might not feel like it, but you have a bright future. It’s going to be tough, there’s going to be good times and bad times along the way and different aspects you’ll have to navigate and barriers you’ll have to overcome but you’ll get through it. It’s going to be okay.”
Reece Hamer, 20, who grew up in care after moving into his first foster home aged four, shared his personal story while acknowledging that not all young people have the same experience.
“Sometimes people go into foster care not with the best start and sometimes they don’t have the answers straight away like I did. Some kids in foster care aren’t as lucky as I was sadly,” he said.
Reflecting on his own experience, Luke said: “It was a rapid change. I had no clue what was going on because I was four. It’s not a good feeling being separated from your parents.”
Luke said he has come up against insensitive comments from people without an understanding of the care system and hopes the book will help tackle misconceptions.
“It’s not okay to treat someone differently because they’re not spending time with their parents. It’s a hard thing not being with your birth parents for the beginning part of your life.”
On the impact he hopes the comic strip will have, Reece said: “I hope it gives people in and out of the foster system some insight on what goes on behind the scenes for people in the care system.”
The Hear My Voice comic book is launching on Thursday, November 14 at an event at the New Adelphi Theatre, University Road, Salford M5 4BR. The original prints will be on display from 3.30pm with a panel-style Q&A with the young people behind the comic book running from 5pm-6pm.
A digital copy of the book will be published online on the GMYN website following the event with physical copies also available at the University of Salford library.
Get tickets for the free launch event HERE
To find out more information about GMYN’s care experience programmes and the services they provide across Greater Manchester, please see our page here
