Care-experienced young people recently took part in a series of creative workshops aimed at exploring their views on residential care settings. These sessions offered a platform for them to reflect on their lived experiences and express what a supportive and nurturing home should look and feel like. Their insights were captured as part of the Residential Reflections Project, a collaborative initiative led by Nottinghamshire County Council.
This initiative was especially timely, as the council prepares to recommission its residential services with the current 10-year contract for Children's Homes ending in 2025. In keeping with the Our Nottinghamshire Approach to Participation, the local council is committed to embedding young people's perspectives into decision-making processes. The Residential Reflections Project exemplifies this approach by not only gathering feedback but actively involving care-experienced youth in shaping the services designed to support them. By valuing their input and fostering genuine collaboration, the council aims to create environments where all young people feel safe, healthy, and happy.
As part of the Residential Reflections Project, YSP Media and filmmaker Chris Bevan played a key role in facilitating the co-creation workshops and producing a film that captured the young people's experiences and ideas. Through creative activities, storytelling, and guided discussions, participants express their thoughts in ways that felt authentic and empowering. This collaborative approach ensured that the film was not only professionally produced but also truly reflective of the young people’s voices. The creative process allowed care-experienced youth to take ownership of their narratives, resulting in a powerful visual representation of their lives. The film premiered online to an audience of professionals, council representatives, educators and those working in the care system, followed by a brief Q&A on the process. Our thanks to Natelle, Lynn and the team at Nottinghamshire County Council who commissioned us to deliver this meaningful project.
