Young Champions’ film on growing up in kinship care premiered in London

A powerful short film revealing what growing up in kinship care is like was premiered by Kinship at a celebratory screening in Hackney, London, on Tuesday 18 March.

Young Londoners with firsthand experience of kinship care used their voices and experience to co-create the striking animation which explains what it means to be raised by a relative or family friend when their parents are unable to care for them. They hope it will increase awareness and reassure children in kinship care that they are not alone.

The Kinship Young Champions’ film project funded by BBC Children in Need highlights the 141,000 children in kinship care in England and Wales – that’s double the number in foster care – and describes the highs and lows they face as they adjust to their new lives.

The film also shows that kinship families and young people need increased access to support to help them deal with the trauma, separation and loss many children have experienced before coming into kinship care.

The Government’s National Kinship Care Ambassador, Jahnine Davis, joined the young people behind the project and their proud kinship carers and families for the celebratory launch at The Castle Cinema.

Young filmmaker Ollie, 14, who is being raised by his 74-year-old nan, said: “I loved getting involved in this project to create a film to spread awareness and show kids and kinship carers that although it can be hard growing up in kinship care, you can get through it.

“I think kinship carers should get more finance and help so that they can give their kinship kids more opportunities, whether that’s in education, or a treat every now and again.

“Beforehand I did not have a clue what kinship care was but taking part in the project has helped me to get a better understanding. My nan is really helpful and it’s nice having a family figure in my life. It’s really important.”

Ki, 19, who has been living with his uncle and aunt said: “We want the film to raise awareness among children and young people in kinship care who may not know what kinship care is. We also want to encourage the Government to make positive change happen for kinship families.

“Kinship children and young people need support, and we want to let them know that they don’t have to face this journey on their own and that it’s going to be OK.

“Helping to make this film has been a great experience, it’s been interesting, positive and fun and I am really proud of what we’ve created.”

At the screening Jahnine Davis told the young people: “What I’ve seen tonight is absolutely amazing. I was in kinship care as a child and the film shows so many different emotions and experiences that I encountered. Know that your voices and experience do truly matter and know that I am here to advocate for your needs and experiences. You are seen, you are heard and you’re certainly not alone.”

Kinship is committed to ensuring children in kinship care and their families receive better support through our #ValueOurLove campaign. Our research reveals that kinship children are being denied access to vital support.

CEO of Kinship, Lucy Peake said: “We hope that this brilliant film produced by these talented young people in kinship care will help to highlight what it’s like to be raised in kinship care.

“This unique project has brought together young people in kinship care to share their experiences, connect with other young people and create a compelling film which shows the ups and downs of their lives. We hope it will help to reassure other children and young people growing up with a relative or family friend that while it can be tough at times, it can also give them the love and security they need.

“We know from our research that there are kinship children in every school playground who have been through trauma, such as separation and loss, but whose needs are being overlooked and ignored.

“We celebrate the achievements of the Young Champion’s project and remain committed to providing opportunities to young people in kinship care to share their experiences with decision-makers to increase understanding of their unique needs and the lack of support.”

The Young Champion’s film project provided a unique and safe space for the young people to share their experiences and voices to influence action and change. They worked closely with a specialist film production company and were engaged in script writing, storyboarding and voice overs.

Since 2021 the Young Champions Project has brought together young people aged 12-18 living in kinship care across London and surrounding areas. Throughout the project, participants have enjoyed a range of enriching activities, including football stadium tours, graffiti workshops and DJ sessions.

The young people involved shared that the project has been transformative, giving them the opportunity to be heard and involved which significantly boosted their confidence, while developing valuable new skills and making new friends with others in kinship care, and fostering a sense of belonging.

We will continue to provide opportunities to young people in kinship care to share their experiences to increase understanding of their unique needs. We want to listen to and work alongside young people and kinship families to develop campaigns and services that make a difference long term – that change systems for kinship families.

Kinship’s Forgotten report, published in August 2024, highlights how the needs of kinship children are overlooked and ignored. According to our research, children being raised by relatives or family friends because their parents are unable to care for them are being denied access to the support they need to heal from early childhood trauma.