What we achieved in 2024–25
A year of direct support, creative programmes and radical reform — shaped by and for care experienced children and young people across Wales.
Year at a Glance
Reaching care experienced young people
What 7,198 young people are facing
The scale of the challenge in Wales and the UKSources: DfE 2025; Welsh Government 2024; NICE NG205
Session breakdown
1,384 structured sessions delivered in 2024–25Young people questioning Welsh Ministers directly
VFCC's Radical Reform Summits give care experienced young people a direct platform to hold the Welsh Government to account. In 2024–25, 65 ambassadors participated across 3 summits, questioning Ministers on restraint, mental health, housing and leaving care.
These summits are commissioned by the Welsh Government and delivered entirely by Voices From Care Cymru. They represent one of the most powerful examples of meaningful youth participation in policy anywhere in the UK — young people setting the agenda, asking the questions, and demanding accountability.
“The Radical Reform Summits prove that when you give young people a seat at the table, they don't just participate — they lead.”
Creative, practical, youth-led
Every programme is shaped by the experiences and ideas of care experienced young people. From cookbooks to bibliotherapy, prison cafes to campaign scarves — this is what meaningful support looks like.
Sky's the Limit
Creative activities designed for children aged 8–14 in care. Art, music, outdoor adventures and group projects build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging outside the care system.
Community-based creative activities run across Wales for children aged 8–14 in care. Sessions include art workshops, music, outdoor adventures and team challenges — giving younger children a safe, fun space to build friendships and confidence outside the care system.
Bibliotherapy Journal
A guided journalling programme supporting emotional self-regulation through reading and reflective writing. Young people explore their feelings, build resilience and develop coping strategies at their own pace.
An innovative resource for emotional self-regulation and self-care. Young people use structured journalling prompts, guided reading and reflective writing exercises to process their experiences, develop coping strategies and build emotional resilience — all at their own pace and on their own terms.
Peer Support Cafes
Safe, informal spaces for care experienced people to connect. Specialist cafes for students, care-experienced parents, LGBT+ youth, neurodivergent young people and Welsh speakers — meeting people where they are.
Specialist cafes tailored for different groups: students navigating university, care-experienced parents, LGBT+ young people, neurodivergent young people and Welsh speakers. Each cafe is a safe, informal space where people connect over shared experience — no referrals, no appointments, just genuine peer support.
Prison Peer Support
Peer-led support programmes running in HMP Berwyn, HMP Cardiff and HMP Parc. Care experienced people supporting others in the justice system — breaking cycles of isolation and building pathways to reintegration.
Running in 3 prisons across Wales — HMP Berwyn, HMP Cardiff and HMP Parc. Care experienced people lead peer support groups for others in the justice system, breaking cycles of isolation and building pathways back into the community. 33% of care leavers receive a youth justice caution or conviction, compared to just 4% of the general population.
The Adaptable Chef
A youth-led cookbook created by and for care experienced young people. More than recipes — it builds independence, confidence in the kitchen and life skills for young people preparing to live on their own.
A youth-led cookbook of affordable, practical recipes created by the Carmarthenshire regional group. Designed for care experienced young people in supported accommodation who are learning to live independently. Care leavers are expected to be financially independent from age 18 — the average person doesn't leave home until 24.
Care Experience Scarf
A campaign for Care Day 2024 symbolising love-led care. The scarf represents warmth, belonging and the message that every care experienced person deserves to feel wrapped in support — not defined by their circumstances.
Launched for Care Day 2024, the scarf symbolises a care system built on love. It represents warmth, belonging and the message that every care experienced person deserves to feel wrapped in support. The campaign challenges the narrative that care experience defines a person — and calls for love-led practice across all services.
Evidence-led, youth-informed
Our partnership with CASCADE at Cardiff University ensures that the voices of care experienced young people are central to academic research shaping policy across Wales.
Peer Research
Care experienced young people trained as peer researchers, leading qualitative studies alongside CASCADE academics. Their lived experience brings depth and authenticity that traditional research methods cannot match.
Basic Income Pilot
VFCC contributed to the evaluation of the Welsh Government's Basic Income Pilot for care leavers — ensuring the experiences and perspectives of young people shaped how the programme was assessed and understood.
Care Experienced Nursing Evaluation
Working with CASCADE to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing services for care experienced children and young people across Wales — examining whether health support is meeting the standards young people expect and deserve.
Get Involved
Be part of what comes next
Whether you are a care experienced young person, a professional, a researcher or a supporter — there is a place for you. Help us build on the impact of 2024–25 and drive lasting change for children and young people in Wales.