Cumberland Council has planted a series of trees across the region in a symbolic gesture of unwavering commitment to care experienced young people as they enter adulthood.
The planting was part of ‘Positivitrees’ – a national campaign of tree planting run by the National Leaving Care Bench Marking Forum (NLCBF) to celebrate their 20th year anniversary.
Planted in Carlisle’s Bitts Park; Castle Park, Whitehaven; and Workington Hall Park, the trees represent the council’s aspirations for care experienced young people, and, as their ‘corporate parents’, the determination to help them to grow and thrive.
Taking part in the planting ceremony were representatives of Cumberland’s care experienced community, as well as ‘corporate parents’ from the council and a representative from the National Leaving Care Bench Marking Forum.
The planting of trees also symbolises the council’s commitment to growing Cumberland’s care experienced young people’s ‘Local Offer’ – the package of support available – in partnership with care experienced young people.
For the planting, two types of tree were chosen – oak for its resilient and strong, enduring qualities and a blossom tree, for its ability to bloom.
The choice of planting trees is meaningful, explains local Ambassadors for Care Experienced young people, Danielle Crellin and Chloe Morley:
“At the planting ceremonies, we chose to share the quote “Heal the roots, so the tree is stable” as it seems really fitting. The roots symbolise the Local Offer, and the tree represents us as the care experienced young people.
“If we get the Local Offer for care experienced young people right, then this will allow for young people like us to have stable and fulfilling futures.”
Each tree will have a plaque with links to where the council’s Local Offer can be seen on the NLCBF website.
The tree planting follows the opening of Cumberland Council’s second care experienced young people’s hub in Whitehaven’s new ‘Family Hub on the Harbour’. The first care hub – a way for young people to be able to access the support of various services and agencies in one place – opened in Workington in January.
Cllr Emma Williamson, Executive Member for Children’s and Family Wellbeing and Housing at Cumberland Council said:
“For care experienced young people, entering adulthood can be a daunting experience. We want to make it as easy as possible for our young people to get the support and advice they need as they create the foundations for their adult lives.
“We are ambitious for all of our communities and, as corporate parents, are dedicated to ensuring our care experienced young people get the support they need to thrive as they navigate adult life.
“The trees we’ve planted will serve as an enduring symbol of our ongoing commitment to our care experienced young people – be it through our new Care Experienced Hubs or our work towards growing our Local Offer.”
Martin Birch, Director of Children and Family Wellbeing at Cumberland Council added:
“Planting trees is always a positive thing and we’re really pleased to take part in the Positivitrees campaign.
“The trees represent our aspirations for our care experienced young people. We are determined that growing our Local Offer will, in turn, help them to flourish as young adults.
“The trees are now there for the whole community to benefit from. As we continue to grow our Local Offer, we’ll be having positive conversations with the wider community about how we can all pull together to ensure every care experienced young person in Cumberland has the opportunities, experiences and support that other young people get.”