CLNM Conference 2023

Posted 3rd November 2023

On Thursday 19 October the House Project community of young people, colleagues and partners from across the UK came together for the annual Care Leavers National Movement (CLNM) Conference, ‘Sense of Wellbeing’; hosted at the Mercure Hotel in Manchester.

The day celebrated young people and projects, with a focus on Wellbeing and how this links to relationships and community, both of which are fundamental in the House Project approach.

The day was designed and delivered by young people. Their drive to change the outcomes for future young people in care was clear and young people were proud to present their findings and recommendations from their recent Peer Evaluation. 

We heard from young people and Partnership for Young London about the work that had been done to complete CLNM’s second Peer Evaluation. It focused on Ownership, Home, and Sense of Wellbeing. The findings were overwhelmingly positive with most young people saying that they would recommend the House Project to other young people. Their skilful interviewing found that as well as the very positive findings, there were also things that we needed to work on. You can read more about the Peer Evaluation here.

CLNM’s representative from Coventry House Project, Chloe, said:

“One of the four CLNM objectives is to peer evaluate our house projects so they are the very best they can be. We do this by training as peer researchers and developing an evaluation framework that links to the NHP practice framework, ORCHIDS. As with all evaluations the work done to obtain the information that ultimately creates change is important"

Young people were joined on stage by partners who have had a real impact on their Sense of Wellbeing and are also a huge part of their community. These included; Dave from Madlug, Maria from Suited and Booted and Matthew from Partnership for Young London. The conference was opened by Jimmy Paul, Head of Scottish Violence Reduction Unit. Jimmy said of the day:

“The CLNM Conference this year was absolutely incredible. To see so many people, especially young people, coming together and exploring what wellbeing means for them and their peers, was a joy. Each and every child deserves love, hope and opportunity, and this is particularly true of those in and ‘leaving’ care. I look forward to seeing the CLNM and the NHP grow, and I hope their work gains many more supporters in the coming months, ensuring that every young person can experience a high quality of wellbeing”

The conference included presentations, films, shared experiences, and positive stories from young people who have experienced life within care. The final presentations of the day focussed on mental, physical and emotional wellbeing with young people sharing their top tips with the wider House Project community.

As well as the formal presentations each Local House Project and partner organisation had a stall showcasing some of the work they have been doing with young people leaving care to improve their wellbeing. There was a real buzz to this networking experience and young people, staff and organisations came away feeling energised and connected with the House Project Community.   

The conference programme concluded with a rap written and presented by CLNM representative Mya, who uses music to have a sense of wellbeing.

Watch the short film of the day here.