Isabelle Kirkham 💛 @IsabelleKirkham Twitter profile

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

2 months

Me and Joey are excited to share the news that our little moon arrived safely on the 21st July 2024, weighing just over 7lbs✨ Luna-Rae Kaitlin Kirkham the world is so ready to meet you and watch you grow 🌕🩷

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

9 months

Update : My brother has been found. Thank you so much for the support of this post and for sharing.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Imagine arriving home from school to find social workers, police officers and clothes in a bin bag. Then put in the back of a car, driven miles away from home and taken to a stranger's house. This was my reality 16 years ago today at 9 years old.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

9 months

We still haven’t been able to find my brother. We just want to know he is safe. There has been a possible sighting of someone that looks like him at Totton Train Station on Christmas Eve. We have passed on all information to the police who are looking into finding him.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

I'm hyper-aware that it's Care Experience Week next week. I often find it to be tokenistic and I'm usually unsure how to challenge that. So I have made this mini guide for care experienced allies on how they can make next week more bearable for CEP. #NCEW22 #NCLW22 #CEP

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

My “corporate parents” have been in my life since I was about 7 years old. They’ve been my lifeline. I wouldn’t be alive if I hadn’t entered the care system fully at 9. That lifeline & almost every other lifeline I can use fully gets cut off Monday. Why? Because I turn 25.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

I think the reason it made me cry is because I was once Ellie. Confused, scared and anxious. This John Lewis advert has made care experienced people seen and felt at a time we are often forgotten about. Emotional wreck for the day ❤️ #TheBeginner @JohnLewisRetail

Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Normally the John Lewis advert doesn’t bother me. But this year I actually watched very teary eyed. This is how you support and amplify care experienced people. Thank you @JohnLewisRetail @jlpartnership #TheBeginner ❤️

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I feel immense pressure to write a tweet about #MothersDay and my lack of a “mother” growing up. Today I celebrate myself. I cared for myself and my siblings growing up. I cared for myself while in care and I care for myself today. So today is a day for me.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Goodbye dissertation at last 🎉 “Tracy Beaker made me want to grow up in care” How the representation of care & care experienced people in Tracy Beaker impacts care experienced people

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I can officially say I’m a graduate of @CSSDLondon with a First Class Honours Degree 🎓 It was a weird day to be in a room that care experienced people are often excluded from. Nine year old Isabelle I promise you, you are worthy, powerful and can achieve anything #CEP

Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

It’s my graduation ceremony today… I feel weird about it.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

8 months

I am not a Care Leaver. I am Care Experienced. Please stop referring to me by a label my corporate parents gave me to stop having to support me. I’ll say it again. I am not a Care Leaver. I am Care Experienced.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Today I’m down in London alongside 100+ care experienced people to lobby MPs in parliament around the change the care system needs. I’m here to challenge and fight for the rights of the full care experienced community in all its diversity. #ItsOurCare #CEP

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Children and young people will always need to go into care. Despite my journey in care being awful, If I didn’t go into care I wouldn’t be alive today. My family had at home support and all six of us still needed to go into care.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I haven’t spoken about my sister in awhile. I often worry people will forget about her and that her 12 years in this world will never be remembered. So this is my sister Kaitlin. She loves horses, one direction and always told everyone she loved them. I miss her dearly x

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

A Care Experienced National Organisation must be led & run by Care Experienced People Nothing about us, without us

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

To my community of care experienced people. We are about to see a lot in the media and the general public about the care system. Please be kind to yourself. Solidarity and love 🤍✊

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

#CareLeaversWeek makes me uncomfortable. Every year it’s over run by non-CEP “celebrating us” Wanna know the best way to celebrate us? Amplify care experienced people. Campaign with us. Protest with us. Actually support us. That’s it. That’s my #NCLW21 post.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I’d like to say a piece of history happened today for care experienced people. #KeepCaringTo18 Hand in at @10DowningStreet by 6 care experienced people. Thank you to @EmmaLewellBuck & @jeremycorbyn for talking with us today.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

4 years

Normally I don’t post on tik tok but with the news of Tracy Beaker coming back I couldn’t resist making this.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

8 months

Care Experience does not end at 25. We need to stop putting age limits on support for Care Experienced people. It’s just not good enough. The impact of growing up in care does not end because you turn a certain age.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

My local authority left me a voicemail yesterday. They have photos of me from my time in care and ones of me with my family. Why wasn’t I given these in 2018 when I requested my files I’ll never know. I should get them in the post hopefully today.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I’m apart of this delegation of care experienced people 📣📣📣 Never in my life time did I think I’d have to go to @10DowningStreet to hand in a petition to fight for CEYP rights. We are close to 10k signatures. If you haven’t signed or shared yet now is the time!

Article 39

@article_39

3 years

A delegation of care experienced people takes the #KeepCaringTo18 petition to 10 Downing Street next week. We think this is the first time care experienced people have had to ask the PM to guarantee care for every child in care. Please stand with them:

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Normally the John Lewis advert doesn’t bother me. But this year I actually watched very teary eyed. This is how you support and amplify care experienced people. Thank you @JohnLewisRetail @jlpartnership #TheBeginner ❤️

John Lewis & Partners

@JohnLewisRetail

2 years

It’s the things we do that mean the most. 🛹 #TheBeginner

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Today is #CareDay23 Today I celebrate nine year old Isabelle. As despite the trauma she experienced, she is thriving at 26. I am glad I went into care. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be alive today.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

15 years ago today I was placed into foster care I wouldn’t have much to say to 9 year old me. But I would hug her. I’d tell how much she’s loved & how proud she should be of herself. I’d tell her about the powerful person she will grow into & how powerful she truly is. #CEP

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

First day today studying my masters degree. I often remind myself that I’m not only breaking Care Experienced stereotypes, but my very own imposter syndrome. Doctor Isabelle you are only a few years away 🎓

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Any other care experienced people completely exhausted? I feel genuine guilt for not speaking out right now, but I just don’t have the energy to do so. I’ll share my thoughts on the review in a couple days time 🕊

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

I become massively aware of my care experience when I go through “normal” life events. I’ve just moved house again, and the lack of support I have in comparison to others is massively apparent to me. Even more so since losing all support from my corporate parents.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

9 months

CHARLIE HAS BEEN FOUND

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

I do not and will not support someone who is not Care Experienced being in this role. Being Care Experienced is fundamentally political, and I refuse to have someone with no experience of the system leading on this in government. I will be vocally pushing against this.

Rt Hon Johnny Mercer

@JohnnyMercerUK

1 year

The Prime Minister has appointed me as his cross-Government care leaver lead, and I’m determined that we make this the best country in the world to be a care leaver.. such a special cohort, lots of similarities with the Veteran’s role, really excited to get going today 👍

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

One thing many non-care experienced people have is memories in the form of photos. As a care experienced person photos of us growing up are hard to come by. I received a few photos from my local authority recently. This is one of them photos. I think we are 5 and 7

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I’m down in London tomorrow to be apart of the delegation of care experienced people to hand in the #KeepCaringTo18 petition @article_39 A petition that is so unbelievably important to protecting vulnerable children. ⬇️

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

I want to jump back to this quickly - “Yes, depending on the child” If you want to foster and plan to be picky because you don’t want “certain” children. Don’t foster. Simple. Love from, a care experienced person who’s foster parent shouldn’t have fostered

Josh MacAlister MP

@JoshMacAlister

2 years

Last week @TeacherTapp asked teachers whether they would temporarily foster a child from their class. Stunningly, about half said that they would. Why does this matter?

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

A massive thank you to @zarahsultana for chatting with me and @ShaunnaDevine8 It was powerful to talk to such a powerful women. Thank you for listening to us and being such a great ally to care experienced people Let’s keep talking! #ItsOurCare #CEP

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

So this has happened 😭

National Diversity Awards

@ndawards

3 years

Congratulations to Isabelle Kirkham who has been nominated for the Positive Role Model Award for Age: sponsored by @OpenUniversity at The National Diversity Awards 2022 in association with @itvnews . To vote please visit #NDA22 #VotingNowOpen

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Today is Care Day. It is day to celebrate care & care experienced people. I’m often not sure what there is to celebrate about care. I’d like to know what other care experienced people celebrate about care? Me? I celebrate being alive. #CareDay22 #CareExperienced

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Sibling relationships are vital to care experienced people. Despite us all growing up across the country from each other we have a bond like no other. But that’s because we put in the time and love in with each other. Social services kept us apart. #CEP #Siblings

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

9 months

Just some personal news to share with you all. Our little human is due on the 21st July 2024. Quite a beautiful birthday present to see our tiny human growing. 🌈🤍

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Grieving as a care experienced person I’ve had this sat in my drafts for awhile. I finally feel able to post it CW: Death, Grief and Care 💛

Grieving as a care experienced person

Grief is shit and sadly something everyone will experience at some point in their lifetime if that’s a hamster, a dog, or a grandparent as…

isabellekirkham.medium.com

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

You do not have lived experience of the care system if you didn’t grow up in it. I’m massively disappointed to see there is only a single care experienced person on the implementation board.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Most expensive piece of paper I own 🎉👩‍🎓

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

4 years

I don’t normally talk about my grades or how I’m doing at Uni... But I can’t hide it away that I’m finishing second year on a first, and that I’m really quite proud of myself 👏

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

So I have some news to share…. I’m going back to University to get my masters degree in Political Science and International Relations at @LivUni 🎓📚💜

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Just got my graduation booking information though £20 a guest At least £45 to hire a gown Even after finishing University it’s completely inaccessible to anybody who comes from anything other than a privileged life. @CSSDLondon Do better.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

9 year old Isabelle needed the change 25 year old Isabelle is pushing for. I support a better future for all care experienced people #ItsOurCare #CEP

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Can I just get a hands up for the amount of CEP (any age) who hate the term “Looked After Child” It’s got to be scraped as the statutory term to describe young people & children in care. Child in care & Care Experienced Young Person Are two terms I think are much better.

Jennifer Downie

@JenDownieUK

3 years

Point on language. As this centres around right to 'care', counsels are using different terms. So judge has asked to stick to statutory language... Art.39 counsel to use 'Looked After Child' rather than 'child in care'. Gov't counsel to use 'care plan' rather than 'package'.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Now it’s finally settled & feels a little more real. I’ve broken not only a care experienced (false) statistic but also a family one If 9 year old me placed into care in 2006 could see 24 year old me in 2021 with a first class honours degree she’d be unbelievably proud #CEP

Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I can’t believe I’m writing this but I’ve officially graduated The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with a FIRST CLASS HONOURS DEGREE #Graduate #CareExperienced #CEP #CSSD 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

7 months

Wanted to share the news that me & Joey are going to be parents to a little girl 🩷

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I’ve always felt uncomfortable calling myself a care leaver. I’m care experienced.

Rebekah Pierre

@RebekahPierre92

3 years

When I spoke to @IsabelleKirkham about the cliff edge of care, I asked what she would change if she were children’s commissioner tomorrow. It is a model answer, one full of wisdom, compassion but also common sense. ‘Care leavers don’t exist’.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

9 months

He has a short haircut*

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

9 months

Sorry for the mass tag. Please could you all share this post about my brother. @missingpeople @lemnsissay @ccwild79 @HoyleTime @Millinerstale1 @sophiassocials @Become1992 @AshcroftBen @CEPbarrister @philwatson184 @EaCES_ @TerryGalloway @Jimmypaul90 @LeedsNews

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

7 months

Jumping back on for a brief moment to send love to all who are Care Experienced and/or Estranged today. Today is my first #MothersDay where I have felt genuine joy. Truly can’t wait to meet the tiny human growing away safely. 🩷

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

The care system kept me alive, but it didn’t make me feel alive. That’s all me.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I want to share that this year I’m excited for Christmas. I’m excited to cook Christmas dinner with my partner, open Christmas Eve boxes with matching Pjs in & eat my weight in cheese But most of all, I’m excited because I feel so loved this year.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

What do all my care experienced followers/friends think of the term “forever family” ? Makes me think of a pet getting adopted… It really frustrates me how many non care experienced people often use the same language for us to describe getting an animal Maybe it’s just me 🤷‍♀️

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

“Family is whoever the child deems to be family” - @AFrazerWicks Perfect

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Please can we stop saying “ a voice for the voiceless” Every person has a voice. Sometimes certain voices aren’t heard but they still have a voice. We should push & amplify for all voices to be heard, not take their voices & use them as our own/for our own gain.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

I'm planning to do my master's dissertation on Care Experience becoming a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. I believe in order for it to have real impact it needs to be in written policy, from Government. For that to happen, it needs debate and research.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

This. @AshleyJBaptiste 👏 I went from being essentially my siblings parents to being an only child in a strangers home with my siblings 300 miles away from me. I remember having to guilt trip my social worker to allow me to see my siblings more than twice a year.

Stylist Magazine

@StylistMagazine

3 years

@AshleyJBaptiste 's new #BBC documentary is out today and is a very, very important watch:

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I can’t believe I’m writing this but I’ve officially graduated The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with a FIRST CLASS HONOURS DEGREE #Graduate #CareExperienced #CEP #CSSD 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

I won’t be watching #JoeSwash #TeensInCare . I find shows that are so deeply connected to my trauma, uncomfortable. I also find the media and public commentary on Care Experience People overwhelming and deeply rooted in stigma. Love to my #CEP community this evening.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

My oldest brother phoned me shortly after watching this and said he wants to start talking about his care experience and justice system experience. This is the biggest impact this interview has had on me. It’s inspired my siblings to start finding power in their own stories.

Channel 4 News

@Channel4News

1 year

With a shortage of suitable accommodation closer to home, children in care are too often being sent away from their local communities. @JaneDodgeC4 meets Isabelle - who ended up hundreds of miles away from her siblings and grandparents.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

#NationalSiblingsDay2021 I find these “National” days about family in particular ones centred about siblings incredibly difficult This long thread is why:

🌹SIBLINGS TOGETHER🌹🤩☺🤗

@siblings2gether

5 years

Sibling relationships are the longest lasting in most people’s lives. Siblings Together supports #lookedafterchildren to maintain their sibling relationships. Please RT with your support #siblingstogether #siblingsincare #socialwork #positiverelationships

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

It’s my graduation ceremony today… I feel weird about it.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

A massive thank you to @fostfamilies & @danibrownmbe for having my abbreviated dissertation in this months edition! It has also the very lovely @PoisonPinkDaisy in as-well! … - Read both our articles here! #CEP

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I’m not strong because I’m care experienced. I had to be strong because of my care experience

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

10 months

Submitted my MA dissertation proposal today. I genuinely believe in order for this to happen on a policy changing level, there needs to be in-depth research. Alongside a real definition of the term Care Experience.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

In complete solidarity with @article_39 Who are today in the High Court for #KeepCaringto18 legal challenge At 16 I was lucky enough to stay in my foster placement. If I hadn’t stayed there, I don’t think I’d be alive today. We must #KeepCaringto18

Good Morning Britain

@GMB

3 years

Actress @samthesparrow says the current care system is still 'not fit for purpose'. She is now supporting a campaign for all children in care to be in accommodation that provides supervision when they pass 16 until they get to 18. @susannareid100 | @richardm56

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

🧵 Anyone who has had a social worker will tell you there is often a lack of trust with them from the get go. This will create a much bigger barrier. I would have not disclosed anything to my social workers if they had a camera attached to them.

Social Work News

@myswnews

3 years

'Social workers should wear police-style bodycams on home visits' - says new campaign, backed by the grandmother of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. What do you think?

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

Please can we for once have a piece of research about the POSITIVE impact of being care experienced.

Centre for Young Lives

@CfYoungLives

1 year

Childhood in care raises risk of entering English youth justice system eightfold

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Care should give you the best opportunity in life. You shouldn’t have to be really strong and work through care, and be one of the lucky ones. #KeepCaringTo18 #CareExperienced

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

"Tracy Beaker made me want to grow up in care" How the representation of care & care experienced people in Tracy Beaker impacts care experienced people Read it here: Support me on KOFI here: #TracyBeaker #CEP

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

8 months

An email I'd never seen until today. One that said my foster carer had given "notice" on me. That I had 28 days to leave the place I had considered “home” for 7 years at 16, without my knowledge. A landlord has to give more notice than my corporate "parent" ever did.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

Despite growing up in care me & my dad have a wonderful relationship. My dad also grew up in care. But that cycle ends with me. Last weekend he spent the weekend with me & I took him up the Liverbird building in the beautiful city of Liverpool.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I currently have my 22 year old autistic brother round for the weekend. He’s just told me he doesn’t have his PA anymore. He’s not in education or currently employed, and he’s been completely left on his own. @hantsconnect This isn’t good enough. Expect a call from me.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I’m in this. I feel completely honoured that @_LisaCherry invited me to write a chapter & supported me in doing so. Thank you for giving me the space to tell my story x

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

I sometimes feel so deflated as nothing ever seems to change in the care system. I’ve realised that is the system causing me to feel like that. No real change has ever happened from within a system. But by pushing, shouting and fighting the fuck back at it. Change is coming

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

I start my masters degree in a couple weeks. I’m becoming quite aware that I still need to work alongside studying. Is there any support out there for care experienced students over 25? Also for any support with books/equipment prior to starting?

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I chatted with @GranadaReports about why we must #KeepCaringTo18 I can’t upload the full interview but it can be viewed here ⬇️ @article_39 ✊ Change has to come for the care experienced community 💛

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I didn’t just need “welfare & maintenance” I needed love & someone to care. #KeepCaringTo18

Jennifer Downie

@JenDownieUK

3 years

Mr Justice Holgate sums up this latest gov't argument as exposing "the dangers of shorthand" - gov't claiming that the use of 'care' in this case has become a shorthand that's alien to actual provisions in law. Proposes that 'care' is better defined as 'welfare and maintenance'.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

I know said I’d only do one #CareLeaversWeek post… But I thought use the time to share I’ve written a whole chapter for @_LisaCherry ’s The Brightness of Stars If I could tell 9 year old me she’d have a chapter in a book, she’d call me a liar (Ps: Spring 22 it’s out) #CEP

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Three whole years of being married to the love of my life. (And around 7 of being together) I truly never thought I’d experience the love I do with Joey ❤️

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

@BBCWomansHour Hey general public interacting with this 📣 Please voice your thoughts but directly listen, & learn from care experienced people on this. And amplify them. Here’s some places to start: @howtobeadopted @locoparentispod @ReclaimCare @sophiassocials @cllegacy1

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Appreciation tweet to my counsellor. Starting to explore the aspects of my trauma (before, during and after care) that I’ve buried deep. 2023 is the year of healing ❤️‍🩹

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Yesterday evening I spent the night celebrating how many wonderful, inspiring people live in the UK at the @ndawards While I didn’t win, it feels truly overwhelming to have even been nominated let alone shortlisted! Massive congratulations to every one who won 🎉❤️

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

Im completely blown away by this!! Thank you so much everyone who voted me 😭 #NDA #CEP @CSSDLondon 🎉

National Diversity Awards

@ndawards

2 years

@IsabelleKirkham – Congratulations!! You have been shortlisted for the Positive Role Model Award for Age at the National Diversity Awards 2022 in association with @ITVNews ! Good Luck! #NDA #NDA22 #ShortlistedNominee @OpenUniversity

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

I really do love @JohnLewisRetail & @wearemadlug Such a simple yet powerful way to make a difference for care experienced children and young people’s lives.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

My youngest siblings are coming over to my new house this evening Growing up in care & away from them hasn’t broken our relationship. We’ve just had to work so much harder to make it as strong as it is. #CEP #Siblings

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

And it’s live: A piece of spoken word written in collaboration with care experienced people @RozaDimkaRegan & @chris_jake19 #CEP #Theatre

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

A child should never be called a burden. Let alone a traumatised child. I wasn’t a burden on my foster family. To have been labelled a burden at 10 years old is disgusting.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

7 months

Beautiful speech by @samthesparrow 🤍 Representation like this is unbelievably important for care experienced people. We are more than the negative research and statistics. We are human beings with beautiful stories and lives 🤍

BAFTA

@BAFTA

7 months

A gorgeous speech from Samantha Morton who is awarded the BAFTA Fellowship 👏 #EEBAFTAs

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Hey @educationgovuk & @willquince this is how you support care experienced young people into independence. I’d love to chat about how this could come into practise in England.

Peter Gillibrand

@GillibrandPeter

3 years

BREAKING: Every 18 year old leaving care in #Wales will be offered £1,600 a month over 2 years under the basic income pilot. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 It's believed to be the highest amount offered on a scheme of its kind *ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD*.

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

6 years

So far this has resonated with me the most. I had a horrible time with my foster placement, and I couldn't tell anyone that could help me at the time. Listen to us. Our voices need to be heard. @AshcroftBen @InspiredYouth @smtimyork @CareLeaversVoic @whocaresscot

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

4 years

It’s important to note that the care review isn’t the only way care experienced people can use our own voices to speak out/make change. While I wasn’t offered a position myself, it won’t stop me from actively pushing for the change the system needs & to keep speaking out. 💛

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

8 months

I’ve got some extra bits to share this afternoon for #CareDay But I wanted to “kickstart” my posts by sharing the news that my undergraduate dissertation on Tracy Beaker is an official resource with @BBCTeach !

How can we do more to support care-experienced children?

A short film about actionable next steps teachers and schools can take to support care-experienced young people, with a focus on inclusion and supporting them through transitions.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

2 years

@Myterax It’s much better - Nine year old me would be very happy and proud x

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

6 months

Feels important to share I recently got diagnosed with something I’ve known about myself for quite sometime. Getting an autism diagnosis has been massively validating and I feel like I’ve finally started to accept who I am and the way my brain works 🩷 #WorldAutismAcceptanceDay

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

4 years

I’ve been so excited for campaign to be launched that I and 9 other inspiring care leavers have worked on with @actnforchildren

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

3 years

Just submitted my final university essay 🎉 I don’t think it will hit me until tomorrow but I’ve finally finished my undergraduate degree #CEP @CSSDLondon & @cssdcpp

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

5 months

This is the representation Care Experienced people want and deserve. #FreeLoavesonFridays is such a beautiful and very much needed book. 🤍

Rebekah Pierre

@RebekahPierre92

5 months

Honoured beyond measure to have had a room full of love, support & allyship at the Free Loaves on Fridays launch. Forever grateful to 100 authors for your bravery, courage & strength. You have moved mountains. @BASW_UK @JohnLewisRetail @article_39 @TogetherTrust @ChildrensComm

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Isabelle Kirkham 💛

@IsabelleKirkham

1 year

It’s not often I can relate to Care Experienced characters in media. The new season of Sex Education has captured the impact of being Care Experienced & Estranged in such a beautiful way. An emotional watch this Sunday.

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