The Studio of the Fostered Heroes!

Blue Cabin worked with a fantastic group of children and young people aged between eight and 21 who attend the Children in Care Council (CiCC) in Redcar and Cleveland. 

Naming themselves ‘The Studio of the Fostered Heroes’, the group has produced a six-minute animated film sharing some of their own personal stories and explaining how it feels for them to be adopted, in foster care, residential care or kinship care.

The film also aims to dispel what the group feels are stereotypes and misconceptions about being in care, and includes comments on some of the challenges they have faced, including moving between foster placements and answering questions about their personal lives. 

What next?
The film will now be used to raise awareness of the experiences of children and young people in care and what is important to them, and will be seen by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council employees and elected members. It will also be shared with organisations that work with care-experienced children and young people.

Who was involved?
The Studio of the Fostered Heroes worked with Blue Cabin Associate Artists, Nicola Golightly and Ruth Johnson, and film-maker Laura Degnan.

What people are saying
Children and young people from The Studio of the Fostered Heroes said:

“This film represents me as a child in care and as a person.”
“We hope that people will ask questions and learn about what it is to be fostered but don’t ask personal questions like ‘so how come you ended up in care?’”
“There have been many footsteps in our journey but we walked our way to love.”

Cllr Alison Barnes, Cabinet Member for Children at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This just shows what our young people can do when they get the chance. It truly is an excellent video. It’s professional but also moving and informative and you really get the sense of the children and young people’s authentic voice coming through. The act of making it has not only enthused them and given them confidence but also given them the chance to learn new skills. I’d like to congratulate Blue Cabin and everyone involved but, most of all, our children and young people who have done so well.”

Find out more
If you’d like to know more about this project, please email lucy@wearebluecabin.com.
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