Footie tournament celebrates National Care Experience Week

110 young people and professionals joined together this week at the Corporate Parent Football Tournament 2018 to celebrate National Care Experience Week.

Rangers Women’s Football Club player Lisa Swanson, who is currently on loan to FC Kilmarnock Ladies, came along to Ayrshire College to present the trophy.

East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership teamed up with Kilmarnock FC, East Ayrshire Vibrant Communities and Ayrshire College to demonstrate their corporate parent participation in the all abilities tournament. A corporate parent is an organisation or person in power who has special responsibilities for care experienced and looked after children and young people. This can include young people in residential care; foster care; kinship care; or those who are looked after at home. Also playing were young people from North Ayrshire as well as a group of asylum-seeking young people who are currently living in Glasgow.

The tournament was opened by Depute Provost Claire Leitch, who is also Children’s Champion. She said: “The idea behind the tournament is to give young people a chance to share a positive experience and to develop a relationship with the team who work with them. Everyone at the event had a great time so thanks go to everyone who organised and took part in what has been another highlight of our Year of Young People celebrations.”