Children in Care Shine at Awena Virtual School’s Eden Project Event

Children in Care Honoured at Awena Virtual School Event

On Sunday, July 21st, Awena Virtual School hosted a special event at the Eden Project, celebrating the achievements of children in care in Cornwall. Over 160 guests, including children in care, their foster carers, friends, and extended family, gathered for a day filled with joy and recognition.

A Day to Remember

The event, overlooking the iconic biomes of the Eden Project, aimed to acknowledge the accomplishments of children in care, supported by Cornwall Council’s Together for Families directorate. Awena Virtual School, dedicated to the education of children in care and those with a history of social work involvement, tracks their progress in their regular schools and provides additional support when necessary.

During the celebration, each child and young person received a personalised certificate highlighting their interests, talents, and academic achievements. The certificates were a testament to their hard work and resilience, acknowledging both their personal and academic milestones.

Creative Activities and Fun

Emma Phillips, Head of Awena, Cornwall Virtual School for children in care, described the event as vibrant and full of fun. The day featured a variety of creative activities led by artists from the Arts Lab, offering children opportunities to try parkour, dance, drama, block printing, and making handmade books. Temporary sparkly tattoos, an activity organised by Awena, were also a hit among the attendees.

“Eden was bursting with fun on Sunday,” said Emma Phillips. “Children and young people were able to enjoy creative activities, and sharing lunch together helped to create special memories for everyone who was there.”

Foster Carers and Children Speak Out

Laura Barnes, a foster carer who attended the event, expressed her appreciation for the day. “With their lived experience of being children in care, people undervalue how much harder these children have to work to achieve the same as their peers. This was a treat of a day and we all had a fab time!”

Children and young people who attended the event also shared their enthusiasm. One described it as an “absolutely brilliant event” while another praised the “great food and great setting!”

A Message from Cornwall Council

Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, cabinet member for children and families at Cornwall Council, commended the efforts of Awena Virtual School in supporting children in care. “There should be no barriers for any child when it comes to fulfilling their potential, and Awena Virtual School plays a crucial role in helping them do this. Thank you to everyone who made Sunday’s event such a huge success and congratulations to all of the children and young people on their fantastic achievements.”

The event was supported by HeadStart Kernow, Carefree Cornwall, and Arts Lab, delivered by Creative Kernow, Arts Well, and HeadStart Kernow. For more information on Awena Virtual School, visit their website.