Cornwall’s children in care celebrate at the Eden Project

Around 230 children, foster carers and friends spent a Sunday among the biomes at the Eden Project, and every child who walked in went home with a certificate that had their own name on it.

The annual event, held on Sunday 19 July, was put on for Cornwall’s children in care to mark their talents and their achievements over the past year. It was a full day, and the list of things to try ran from the energetic to the gentle.

A day built around the children

Children tried parkour, played with therapy pets, and got hands-on with robot cars and flying saucers. The activities were spread across the day so there was something for every age and every mood, whether a child wanted to move fast or sit quietly with an animal.

The personalised certificates were handed out on arrival, so the celebration of each child started the moment they came through the door.

An author, and a room full of readers

The children also heard from Tom Palmer, who has written more than 70 books for young readers. Tom talked about how he became a writer and asked the children about the books they love, turning the session into a conversation rather than a talk.

Who was behind the day

The event was organised by Awena Virtual School and attended by the charity Carefree, which supports children and young people aged 11 to 25 who are in care or leaving it.

Awena sits within Cornwall Council’s Together for Families directorate. It supports the education of children in care and of children who have, or have had, a social worker. Rather than teaching pupils itself, the virtual school tracks how each child is getting on at their own school and steps in with extra support where it is needed.

‘Trusted adults who walk beside them’

Cllr Hilary Frank, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, was at the event.

“What made the day extra special was that it celebrated the talents and achievements of every child as an individual,” she said. “There was such a positive atmosphere, and it was great to see children and young people trying new things and having fun.

“Like every child, children in care need trusted adults who walk beside them, believe in them and help them see what might be possible. Awena Virtual School, foster carers, Carefree and everyone involved in the day do so much to provide that support. My heartfelt thanks to them all.”