Case Studies
Barnardo's - Chris's story
Chris was four-years-old when a difficult family situation led to him and his siblings being taken into care.
“I can’t really remember all the details because I was so little,” says Chris. “We had several foster homes and moved around a lot. I remember feeling scared and nervous, asking where I was going.
“At first when I arrived at the children’s home I was really unsettled, I kept kicking off. There were aspects of life I enjoyed but generally I would be naughty. I know now it was a way of trying to deal with all the stuff that had happened to my family and how I was feeling.”
Chris was sent to a pupil referral unit and then went on to attend a mainstream secondary school.
At 17, Chris left the children’s home in a bid to become more independent. Chris was put in touch with Barnardo’s Futures, a Leeds-based project with experience in helping young people leaving care.
Chris says: “Barnardo’s provided me with a lifeline. Barnardo’s Futures helped me learn skills for looking after myself, like how to cook. They encouraged my passion for composing music, and gave me advice about how to be successfully independent."
Chris now works for Barnardo’s Children’s Rights team in Leeds. He was recently asked by Barnardo’s to compose the music for the Leeds Leaving Care Conference. His composition called Music for the Youth – Dream Big, is a moving orchestral piece that Chris says is his way of inspiring others in care - showing them that they too can be successful despite their broken childhood and against all the odds.
Listen to Hear Music for the Youth, Dream Big on YouTube.
Further information
Barnardo's homepage: www.barnardos.org.uk