Advertisement
Become a member of the Big Issue community
JOIN
Books

Peter Capaldi presents writing awards to creative young people in care

Capaldi applauds young writers in care as just six per cent of care leavers go ahead into university education

Peter Capaldi awarded the winners of the annual ‘Voices’ writing competition that provides children in care and care leavers with a unique platform to share their stories.

The competition, hosted by charity Coram Voice, held its award ceremony on 10 April at Havas Kings Cross.

Capaldi said: “It has been wonderful to see the competition grow and I am knocked out by the talent of those who take part.”

There were 24 entrants shortlisted for the competition and four overall winners. Both the shortlisted and winning pieces can be read online.

The winner of the care leaver category of the competition was 21 year old Sophia Alexandra Hall, who is a recent graduate of Oxford University, with her poem The Girl Behind The Glass. Statistics show that only around six per cent of care leavers gain a university education.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Sophia said: “There are so many awful stereotypes in the media about foster kids. By telling our stories we are breaking down these stereotypes and proving that we are not just numbers and statistics. We are so strong as individuals and we should be proud to share our stories.”

Sophia also runs a YouTube channel called ‘Care Leaver Sophia’, which she uses to give advice to other care leavers.

Other competition winners included an anonymous entry, aged nine, in the primary category with a poem On Reflection. Adam, who is 11, was the winner of the lower secondary category with poem Does Height Matter? Winnie, 17, was the winner of the upper secondary category with Shedding of Skin.

This was the fourth writing competition run by Coram Voice and was judged by a panel of writers, poets and rap artists, many of whom with first-hand experience of the care system.

The charity Coram Voice helps children and young people to hold the services responsible for their care to account.

Capaldi added: “The experience of care is not a straightforward one and needs greater understanding from all of us. There are few things that illuminate it more than these powerful words, chosen by gifted and resilient young people.”

Image: Peter Capaldi with winner Sophia, by Sam Mellish

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

View all
Top 5 books about friendship, chosen by author Marianne Cronin
Books

Top 5 books about friendship, chosen by author Marianne Cronin

How Dante's grudges, gossip and pettiness still inspire hundreds of years on
Dante
Books

How Dante's grudges, gossip and pettiness still inspire hundreds of years on

Drifting across Europe in pursuit of my lost, wild twin
Books

Drifting across Europe in pursuit of my lost, wild twin

Romeo & Seahorse by Nikolaj Tange Lange review – gayness throbs through vein and artery
Books

Romeo & Seahorse by Nikolaj Tange Lange review – gayness throbs through vein and artery

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know