Children in Care Council Celebrate Achievements

CHILDREN in care celebrated their achievements with a special activity evening and a presentation ceremony.

Members of Reading’s Children in Care Council (CICC), aged from eight to 14-years-old, got together for the fun event on 17th January. The youngsters have been meeting regularly each month since taking part in activities organised last summer by Reading Borough Council. A group of the children visited Reading Canoe Club to experience an afternoon on the River Thames in various boats. They were tested on the introduction to canoeing criteria which they all passed and after a nervous start they had a great day on, and in, the water. Children and young people also enjoyed a team building day provided by Ufton Adventure, in Ufton Nervet, where they had to work together throughout the day to achieve tasks such as building fires, negotiating a ropes course, designing a giant water catapult and making their own pizzas. The fun evening last week involved games and refreshments and ended with an awards presentation attended by the children’s foster carers. The children who had achieved AQA accredited qualifications in an Introduction to Canoeing and in Team Building were presented with their certificates.

Cllr Jan Gavin, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Children’s Services, said:

“I would like to congratulate the children who achieved their qualifications after attending these fabulous days out in the summer. “I know it was the first time some children had tried these activities and they were certainly pushed out of their comfort zones and into new areas they had never experienced before. The result was they had a fantastic time and they were both days to remember for the children. “The young people also enjoy meeting up and having the opportunity to socialise with other children in care at their monthly get-togethers.” The next event for the CICC is a football session kindly provided by Reading FC Community Trust in the half term week. Any businesses or leisure/activity providers willing to participate in our programme for looked after children, and anyone wishing to find out more about the Children in Care Council should call (0118) 937 2420.