Care experienced young people from Oldham invited to Youth Network’s weekly sessions

Last year, Greater Manchester Youth Network directly supported more than 160 people with experience of the care system in Greater Manchester

The Greater Manchester Youth Network is reaching out to care experienced young people aged 10-16 in Oldham to invite them to their weekly sessions.

The sessions focus on pastoral support, improving wellbeing and developing the aspirations of the young people.

A foster carer of a young person who attends GMYN said: “These sessions are so good as they get him away from his Xbox and out the house – he wouldn’t do anything otherwise.

"It’s also great as I like meeting up with other foster carers for a coffee while waiting for him.”

Paige Steers, Programme Coordinator of Bury and Oldham at GMYN, said: “These sessions are fun but challenging weekly activities to build the young people’s social skills, developing their self-esteem and providing them with skills for the future.

“As well as weekly sessions I can also offer lunchtime clubs in schools or sessions in residential settings focusing on wellbeing and building confidence for care experienced young people.

“These sessions get the young people out of their house and allow them to mix with other care experienced young people.

"Some great friendships and support networks have started out this way, and it’s a great opportunity for foster carers to grab a coffee and have a little bit of time for themselves.”

GMYN’s vision is #YoungPeopleCan, and their goal is to ensure that young people are safe, heard, and capable of great things.

The charity supports young people aged 10-25 from across Greater Manchester by offering innovative and exciting opportunities that they are not able to access elsewhere.

The Manchester-based charity has helped over 11,000 young people through their growth as a single volunteering project to a registered charity since it was founded in 2007.

For more information on the Oldham sessions, please get in touch with Paige Steers at: paige.streers@gmyn.co.uk or call her on 07354 468339.

Head to: www.gymn.co.uk to see what else the charity does for young people across Greater Manchester.

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