A new initiative, Shannon’s Box, has been launched to make entering care a little easier for children and young people. The box will now begin to be delivered in East Ayrshire, in partnership with East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

The new box was the dream of Shannon Brown, who is Staf Youth Facilitator, and contains items carefully selected by Shannon, influenced by her own experience of entering care and with input from other young people with care experience.

Shannon was involved in a project called Connecting Voices, which was developed by a group of young people in East Ayrshire, in collaboration with Staf. Connecting Voices supported the young people to participate in decision-making, understanding their rights, and engaging with corporate parents.

Commenting Shannon Brown, who created the box said:

“I came up with the idea of doing a nice hamper for young people going into care because I know what it felt like for me and I wanted to make it easier for other young people.

“I’m so happy that it’s now happening and I hope it makes a difference to the young people who are given it.”

Staf Head of Learning and Development Pamela Graham added:

“It’s moments like this that we work for at Staf. We are all so proud to have supported Shannon to develop this box, which has been designed by and for care-experienced young people.

“This is a box full of love, care and compassion that will undoubtedly make entering care a little easier for children and young people.

“I know everyone is focussed on making Shannon’s Box a success in East Ayrshire but we hope Shannon’s dream can inspire change across Scotland.”

Eddie Fraser, Director of East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said:

"In East Ayrshire, listening to our young people with experience of the care system is key to providing a service that is person-centred to meet the needs of each child and young person. We are proud of Shannon and are also proud to support this initiative to make the transition into care a little bit easier."

  

Notes:

• Shannon is Youth Facilitator at Staf, who are supporting the project. Staf is Scotland's national membership organisation for all of those involved in the lives of young people leaving care, with over 70 members.
• The project will begin in East Ayrshire, where Shannon will work in partnership with East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership to deliver the hamper to young people in the area.
• We are delighted to have secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to support the project with partners in East Ayrshire.