The council works with young people in care to help them make the move into independent living, and to take advantage of the education, employment and training opportunities that are available to them.

And young people who have either recently moved out of care, or will shortly be doing so, will be taking part in a wide range of activities during National Care Leavers Month to highlight their progress and celebrate their successes.

Themes for the 4 weeks include wellbeing and self care, EET and life skills, confidence and personal development, and fun and social connections, with care leavers invited to wellbeing events, multi sports at WV Active and high ropes at Challenge Academy, work experience activities, special arts and crafts, games and food sessions, and much more throughout the whole of November.

And the atrium at the Civic Centre will be lit blue for a week from Monday (2 November) as part of a national 'light up' to showcase the council's commitment to supporting care leavers as their Corporate Parents. 

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "We are once again dedicating the whole of November to highlighting the achievements of all of our care experienced individuals as they move into adulthood.

"Our Reach Leaving Care Team have put together an exciting programme of supportive and inclusive activities for all our young people who either have, or are, making the transition from care to independent living, ensuring they are fully supported and celebrated at this important time so that their first steps into adulthood are the best they can be.

"But the month is more than a celebration of our amazing care experienced individuals from the city - it's an opportunity for us to amplify their voices, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and encourage positive change."

National Care Leavers Month seeks to highlight the needs of care leavers and encourages the agencies responsible for looking after them to work in a coordinated and effective way.

Wolverhampton's Local Offer for care leavers aged between 16 and 25 provides information about a wide range of services which could help young care leavers prepare for adult life. It includes details of support which they are entitled to by law, as well as additional services that the council has been able to secure with the help of partner organisations. For more information, please visit Wolverhampton Children in Care. 

To help make Christmas special for the city’s young care leavers, the Reach Leaving Care Team is also running its annual Christmas appeal and is inviting people to donate a gift through its Amazon Wish List. The appeal aims to ensure every young person supported by the team receives a present from their Corporate Parent on Christmas Day. To find out more or make a donation, visit Amazon.