The Founders

Cecilia was born and raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa. She came to UK as a teenager and developed an interest in semi-independent and mother and baby support work during her period with Shepherds Bush Housing Association. 

Kate started working with young people when she volunteered for the Refugee Council helping unaccompanied minors with their English in a hostel in Uxbridge. It is this experience that fostered Kate’s passion for working with young people in care.

Kate and Cecilia first met when they worked at the Refugee Council over 20 years ago. Following a redundancy in 2005 they decided to set up Little Acorn Services (LAS), a supported housing service for young care leavers. Many of the young people they have worked with have been negatively impacted by their previous experiences. So in 2018 they launched focus groups for young people to discuss issues that mattered to them. These issues were a hinderance to their healthy development and a barrier to them contributing to society in a positive manner. It was from these focus groups that the idea of Connected Youth began.

Cecilia:

“Many of our young people were despondent about their futures and felt society had little to offer, they felt the system had failed them and had negative feedback about their experience of being looked after. In consultation with these young people the idea to form a Community Interest Company was birthed. Connected Youth CIC would be for young people and led by young people, this was an exciting concept for our young people who were enthusiastic and excited to know they would have a space solely for them and access to training that would develop their advocacy skills and empower them to become equal participants in the decision-making process.”

Kate:

“Connected Youth aims to provide that safe space where young people feel they belong and can be involved in transforming their respective communities and subsequently thrive as they transition into adulthood. Connected Youth aims to accomplish this through offering peer mentoring/coaching, advocacy skills training, and emotional and mental health support etc. Creative expression is another means by which young people can overcome past traumas and give them purpose and focus so we will also offer opportunities for this via creative workshops such as dance, music making, song writing, etc. Inclusivity is high on our agenda, and we want to ensure that no one feels excluded.”