How Five Rivers young people celebrated Care Day 21.2.20

Our participation team organised some great activities for Care Day including big days out for young people and studio rap workshops led by care-experienced hip hop artist, Ric Flo – the creative director of the hip hop collective,  Jungle Brown. Ric uses rap to empower foster children through telling his story in foster care and using his life experience to help them unleash their creativity.

These creative workshops are a positive intervention that even the hardest to reach young people can really benefit from.

Ric says;

“Since creating a solo album about my experience in foster care, I’ve found music to be a powerful tool to help other young people know that, regardless of their past, they can make a positive future.”

So far no fewer than 30 of our young people have taken part in sessions with Ric in both the North and South of the country. The young people learned how to use recording equipment as well as to compose or perform their rap. Others experimented with drums and keyboard.  The greatest skill was learning how to write a rap and find a beat and melody to match their style. The achievements of some of the young people in this area were remarkable – revealing some real talent.

‘Knowledge of Self’ by Hype House & Ric Flo (rap) from Participation: Five Rivers on Vimeo.

Other Care Day Events around the Country

• In the South East, a young person organised and led a First Aid workshop for children and young people
• In the South, a group of children and carers had a fun time at Ryde SuperBowl and another group took part in an art project around children’s rights.
• In the West Country, a group of young people enjoyed a trip to Crealy Adventure Park
• In London, carers organised a trip for young people to Rock Up – a climbing centre

Care Day is important to Five Rivers  

Care Day happens every year in England. Back in 2017, our Youth Council first took the lack of awareness of Care Day to the Children’s Commissioner. Five Rivers is proud that our young people’s voices have been listened to, raising the importance of this day – the only day that celebrates the rights, lives and achievements of care experienced people.