We are... An exhibition from our care experienced community

Anglers Country Park, 16 Nov – 14 Dec

In the Wakefield district there are over 700 children in care. A reminder of the profound challenges many young people face. Yet, amidst these struggles, there is resilience, creativity, and a collective voice. We are..., an exhibition at Anglers Country Park from 16 November to 14 December, invites the public to witness and celebrate the strength and stories of these children through their own expressions of art and storytelling.

Children in care often bear the weight of retelling their life stories to countless professionals. This exhibition provides them with an opportunity to reclaim their narratives, using to express their journeys, emotions, and hopes. 

Ross, a member of the Children in Care Council Juniors, shares, "When you’re in care, you feel different and isolated. But when you get together with other young people in the same situation, you can relate and understand each other, and you feel less alone. That feeling stays with you. Being part of the Children in Care Council has brought me out of my shell, made me more confident, and taught me how to express myself."

Reece, the longest-serving member of the Children in Care Council, highlights how the council has empowered him to find his voice and pursue ambitions in acting. He admits without the council, he wouldn’t have had the confidence. "I’ve been involved in training people to challenge the stereotypes about children in care.” This was delivered to social workers and other professionals. He also advocates for improvements in the care system. And has attended Corporate Parenting Committee meetings, to share his perspective of the care system and make it better for children like himself.

The exhibition also features an interactive kite activity, where we can all add our hope and dream. To show we all want the same things. After the exhibition it will all go in a time capsule to be buried on 11 January 2024 at Pontefract Castle, set to be opened in 2125. This time capsule will hold the stories and aspirations of today’s youth, ensuring that their voices are heard long into the future.

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park supported by curating and installing the exhitibtion We are…..

We are... is an invitation to listen, understand, and stand in solidarity with the young people of our care-experienced community.