Portsmouth's care-experienced young people celebrate their achievements at Spinnaker Tower event

Portsmouth's care-experienced young people who are aged 18 - 25 years old joined together at Spinnaker Tower for a celebration event to mark the end of supporting your futures week.

Supporting your futures week is an initiative organised by Portsmouth City Council to recognise the extraordinary achievements of care-experienced young people.

Held from 23 October to 30 October, the week saw activities including football matches, hair and beauty workshops, arts and crafts and more take place across the city. Each activity encouraged young people to form new friendships and learn new skills which are important as they move towards independence.

Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

"It was fantastic to meet everyone across the week to celebrate all they have achieved. Care-experienced young people may not have the support network around them to recognise everything they do - so coming together at an event is a great way to do just that.

"Each activity has encouraged them to step out of their comfort zones and try something different. These new skills and experiences will stay with them long after this week as they move towards living a more independent life as adults."

Alisha who attended the Spinnaker Tower event, shared her views on the week.

Alisha said: "I've really enjoyed the activities across the week with my friends as it has encouraged us to try new things. The event at Spinnaker Tower was a good opportunity to see each other, as it is sometimes difficult to make time when everyone is so busy."

The celebration event at the top of Spinnaker Tower was attended by social care practitioners and senior staff from Portsmouth City Council who support young people throughout the year. Entertainment included a photo booth, disco and raffle from 7:30pm - 9:30pm.

Sam Bushby, deputy director for children's social care at Portsmouth City Council said:

"I would like to thank everyone who has helped organise supporting your futures week. We feel it's important to provide our young people with opportunities to build confidence and gain their independence when they are ready to. This is an ongoing process that happens over time.

"Supporting your futures week provides a focus and opportunity to create vital support networks for young people that will last long into adulthood. The relationships built as a result of these activities will shape their futures in positive ways."

The supporting your futures team who organised the event are made up of personal advisors and social workers who support young people who come under the care of Portsmouth City Council. The activities have been organised to coincide with National Care Leavers Week.

See more from supporting your futures week

Meet the team behind the week who support young people in Portsmouth.