Care-experienced children have been honoured in a ceremony recognising their achievements.
Care-experienced children and young people living under Herefordshire Council’s care gathered at Hereford Racecourse on Tuesday, March 31, for the second annual celebration, joined by their carers and families.
Hosted by Tori Lynch, the council’s service director for corporate parenting, the ceremony featured six award categories, each supported by a local business sponsor, with winners receiving £250.
Councillor Ivan Powell, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We’re really pleased to hold this event for a second year and to see so many of our care experienced children and young people attending.
"These awards are an important date in our calendar, giving us the chance to come together to recognise and celebrate their incredible achievements.
"Well done to all the nominees and huge congratulations to this year’s award winners and a big thank you to the generous sponsors of the awards."
The awards and their sponsors were: Participation (Herefordshire Growth Hub), Education (Avara Foods), Herefordshire Heroes (Dawleys), Arts and Sports (Orphans Press), Independence (Speller Metcalfe), and Sunshine (Momentum Pharma).
The afternoon also included music, competitions, dancing, and food.
Tina Russell, corporate director of children and young people, said: "I’d like to thank my staff, the carers and family members who gave their time to make this such a special occasion and the award sponsors.
"Who doesn’t love an award with £250 attached?
"These awards really matter because they allow us to recognise the progress and achievements of our young people who have navigated many challenges in their lives and to show them just how proud we are of them here in Herefordshire."
The ceremony is part of Herefordshire Council’s ongoing commitment to recognising and supporting the achievements of care-experienced children.
