Co-Creating Meaningful Change with Care Leavers: Programme Launch Event

The Foundation for Future London recently brought together community voices, sector leaders and care-experienced young adults for the launch of Co-Creating Meaningful Change with Care Leavers— a new programme shaped by and for East London’s care-experienced community.

Held on Tuesday 17 June 2025 at Toynbee Hall, the event created space for open conversation, shared learning and collective ambition.

Chaired by Baroness Lola Young, Co-Chair of the Foundation, and hosted by Tiwa King, our Lead Community Ambassador, the panel gathered a range of inspiring leaders:

• Denise Rawls — Executive Director, National Network for the Education of Care Leavers

• Laurelle Brown — strategist, JNC-qualified youth and community worker, and CEO of Laurelle Brown Training and Consultancy

• Daniella Adjemon — Co-Founder, Connecting Minds

• Clodagh Morgan — Founder, Raphael’s Room

• King Simpson — creative writer and social values campaigner

Throughout the afternoon, care-experienced young adults, practitioners and community organisations explored what meaningful support, leadership and opportunity look like for care leavers today. Conversations ranged from strengthening transitions into adulthood to embedding cultural heritage, identity and lived experience at the centre of practice and decision-making.

Guests were invited to write pledges — personal commitments they will carry forward as part of this collective journey. These pledges will continue to shape the programme’s priorities, partnerships and fundraising efforts.

This event marked an important step in amplifying care-experienced leadership, celebrating existing strengths across East London, and building a community committed to co-designing lasting change.

Sarah Nelson, CEO of the Foundation for Future London, shared:

“Amidst a background of cuts to young people’s services and social care, it’s vital that the Foundation for Future London continues to champion and advocate for East London’s care leavers and care experienced. Our programme aims to provide a platform for young people’s voices and help foster equity and agency, to ensure that life chances and talent is nurtured for one of the most vulnerable communities.”

Photo and video credit: Anne-Marie Michel