On Thursday, 27th March, Include Youth staff and supporters gathered, the Belfast Harbour Commission office to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the young people involved in the Expert By Experience (EBE) Youth Mentor programme. The Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Micky Murray presented the young people with their certificates. These mentors have made significant contributions to the Care for Change project, which has empowered care-experienced youth across Northern Ireland.
The Care for Change project, funded by The National Lottery, employed 15 young people as EBE Youth Mentors over the past two years. These mentors, who have lived experience in care, worked directly with their peers to identify challenges and provide support. The project has offered these young people invaluable training, a salary, and future employment opportunities, giving them an essential foundation for their careers. The mentors received comprehensive training in leadership, advocacy, and policy change, while being guided by a Skills and Participation Coordinator. Through this programme, the EBEs developed essential skills to help empower care-experienced youth in all areas of their lives.
Impactful Initiatives and Advocacy
The range of activities facilitated by the EBEs has been wide-reaching and transformative. From developing Woodland Trust’s social action programme, supporting young people in education, and planning cultural celebrations to running cooking on a budget workshops and LGBTQIA+ information sessions, the project has made a substantial impact on the lives of many young people.
A key aspect of the project was the EBEs’ involvement in consultations with policymakers. These young people actively contributed to discussions on critical issues such as the Department of Health’s Support for Care Leavers consultation, the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, Race Relations Order, and the Review of Leaving and After Care Services. The mentors also played a central role in the Human Rights Review of Policing Children and Young People by the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
A group of EBEs travelled to Geneva to meet with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), where they raised concerns about the UK government’s failure to uphold the rights of young people. The Committee then raised these issues with the UK Government during its official examination, holding officials accountable for their obligations to protect children’s rights.
Heaven, an EBE mentor, shared, “The Geneva trip gave me the opportunity to raise the voice of young people from Northern Ireland, especially asylum seekers. It felt amazing to see that our voices were heard, and our stories pushed forward to the government.”
A Life-Changing Experience
For Leona, another EBE mentor, her time with Include Youth provided the chance to not only reflect on her care experience but also share it with others. “One of my standout moments was speaking at Ulster University to social work students. I shared my care experience and the difference a good social worker can make. Afterward, the Northern HSCT asked me to speak to their social workers, which was an incredible feeling,” Leona said.
Leona continued, “Through my time as an EBE, I gained experience in consulting with young people, public speaking, and organizing social action projects. I not only built my CV but also helped other young people enhance theirs.”
Recognition and Future Growth
The success of the Care for Change project highlights the importance of empowering young people with lived experiences to take leadership roles in addressing the issues that matter to them and their peers. By equipping these young people with the necessary skills and opportunities, the project has opened doors for their future and provided them with a platform to be heard and make a lasting difference.
This week, the project was honoured with the ‘Highly Recommended Award’ at the 2025 Good Relations Awards, a testament to the dedication and hard work of this exceptional group of young people.
Include Youth remains committed to supporting care-experienced young people, providing them with the skills, guidance, and opportunities they need to shape a better future for themselves and their communities.
