"Love can be a tough idea for children who've been in care"

We’ve recently created a film that shows why we do what we do, starring one of our incredible Young Ambassadors, Chan. We spoke to her to find out more about her life, her time in care, and what her role with Action for Children has meant to her.

I don't remember being in care because I was very young. I moved around to different households before I was adopted. I have a photo album of what my life was like in care and even though I was only a baby, from the photos and the bits of information I have, being in care was a sad and uncertain time for me - it meant I had a very unstable life.

I’m not uncomfortable talking about my lived experience. I can say that my life has been shaped by my experience of having been in care. As a care experienced teenager, I feel there is not a lot of care, and that care means different things to different people.

I chose to be a Young Ambassador for Action for Children because I wanted adults to listen. Especially the adults who make decisions for children, and particularly for children who, like me, are care experienced or in care.

Being part of Action for Children makes me feel empowered because I get to use my voice to help others who may not feel like they have a voice. I also get the chance to reflect and think about my own life.

I joined the Young Ambassador board in August 2023 and go to monthly online meet ups. I also put myself forward for other opportunities and events, where I give my opinion and knowledge on topics to help children, young people, and families.

I’ve been involved in Children at the Table, a campaign that aims to make sure that children are involved in government decisions made about them, and was one of 4 young people who handed a petition into 10 Downing Street.

I worked with Fatima Whitbread on her ‘February Fit Challenge’ and recently acted in the Action for Children film, Driven by love.

In my role as a Young Ambassador, I have had lots of support from Sarah, Action for Children’s Participation and Engagement Officer, who I first met when I was interviewed. For example, when we went to a Children at the Table event, Sarah supported me so I felt comfortable.

Action for Children has given me confidence to attend meetings and events, and have experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It gives me a sense of being helpful and doing something good. I get to meet people and go to interesting places.

I enjoy acting and most of my acting has been about my interests. So, I really liked the idea of being in a charity film that showed what it is like being in care. What made it even more special is that I was in care, and to me that made it more believable.

In meetings we talked about the film and how it was going to be used to tell Action for Children’s story. I liked the commentary of the film and I'm proud that I am in it. I portray a teenager arriving with my social worker to my new foster family. It was not that hard to play the role because the house we filmed in was a new and unfamiliar place to me.

Even though the film is about love and hope, it must be really sad moving from house to house and having to fit in with different families. I played the child in the film as nervous, anxious, and upset.

Having been separated from my birth family, love for me is complicated. Love can be a tough idea for children and young people who have been displaced by being in care. I think the film shows how difficult it can be for care experienced children to recognise and understand love.

The very best thing was being in a film about me, with me in it. Having lived experience of being in foster care and using my experience to help the charity that I am a Young Ambassador for makes it more authentic.

It felt great to be part of something so important.

Currently I am busy with school, rugby, and drama. I have my GCSEs this summer and I got a conditional offer to get into my preferred sixth form. I need to work very very hard as I don't find remembering lots of information easy. I have to be organised so that I can fit in my Action for Children, sport, and drama commitments.

I have so many aspirations. I would love to be a professional rugby player and a professional actor. To be an Olympian like Fatima Whitbread and Dwain Chambers. I want to do anything that involves sports, like be a sports presenter or photographer. And I really want to live in a world where every child has a safe and happy childhood.