Young people ‘snap’ up support cards

Ur Say Ur Play, a set of playing cards featuring details of support services for Warwickshire’s looked after children aged 13-18, will be launched next week.

The launch event at Bath Place in Leamington, on Wednesday 22 (August), will be a chance for young people to collect their cards, talk about some of the issues they face, and outline how this resource was developed to help them get the information they need.

The cards have been produced by Warwickshire County Council's Children in Care Council to replace a folder of leaflets, and they offer a more portable alternative and a game. Each card features a different service - chosen by young people - and a QR code which links directly to the service website when scanned using a smartphone.

The launch event will be opened by Wendy Fabbro, the council's director of children's services, before the young people involved in producing the cards talk about the project. Some of the services mentioned on the cards will also have displays at the event so the young people can find out more about them.

Wendy Fabbro said: "This scheme has been 'on the cards' for a while so I'm really pleased to finally announce arrival of this 'good deal' for our looked after youngsters.

"The cards offer a great alternative to the information packs which would date quite quickly and were cumbersome for young people to carry around.

"The information is bitesize and the QR codes mean they can go straight to the latest information from services which will make the process of finding help and advice much easier."

Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms, portfolio holder for children, young people and families added: "I'd like to congratulate the members of the Children in Care Council for coming up with this idea to present important information in an innovative and informal way.

"We are the first local authority to do something like this for looked after young people and hope the idea will take off in other areas."

For more information about the work of Children in Care Council go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cicc . For an introduction to Ur Say Ur Play from care leavers Matt and Sarah go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=A32iowCTTv4

News article courtesy of Warwickshire County Council.