Louis shares his story to inspire others during Care Leavers Month

An avid reader and talented footballer, Louis ,who has lived care experience, is sharing his hopes for the future with the support and guidance of the South Eastern Trust’s Personal Advisor 16 plus Service and Northern Ireland’s only youth-specific homelessness charity, MACS (Mulholland After Care Services).

Louis, who lived with his foster family for almost ten years and with the support of his South Eastern Trust Personal Advisor Emer Supple and MACS Team Leader in Lisburn Anna Geddis, moved into his own apartment in July, is preparing to start work in the hospitality sector.

“Being in Care and leaving Care are two completely different things,” he said. “In care you feel more surrounded in terms of support. When you leave Care, it is just you and you need to be able to get from A to B and it is about how effectively you can do it, not how quickly you can do it.”

A talented footballer who was scouted and part of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s Academy, which trains and develops young people as players and students, Louis added how he wants to explore a career in tattoo artistry or study Sports Science or Physiotherapy in University.

Louis explained: “I think it is very important to mark Care Leavers month. There are so, so many people who need that help and for people in care, it is empowering to have this month to mark it, so that others understand what is like to be a young person in Care.

"If you are a young person and need that help, ask for it. If you focus on your present, do not dwell back on what has happened in the past, the past is the past, the present is the present.”

South Eastern Trust Personal Advisor, Emer Supple explained how she and the Team work with young people in Care from the ages of 16 up to 25.

“I have been working alongside Louis and we have built up a great relationship,” she said. “We have built a pathway plan together to look at his future goals and what he wants to achieve in his life. Whenever Louis needs me, he can reach out.

“We are really proud of Louis. He is really proud of himself and everyone who meets him sings his praises. Louis has done so well and he has a lot to do. We know if we get him on the right road we can get him there.”

MACS Team Leader, Anna Geddis added: “Louis moved into MACS around July time. We are all so fond of him and it has been lovely seeing him thrive. Louis had initially moved out to a property on his own and had felt quite isolated.

"Since he has come to MACS, he has learnt the skills he needs to manage in his own home, he has met new friends and joined educational programmes.

“It is important to mark Care Leavers Month, as those in Care go through so much. It is important to acknowledge what they come through and their achievements.

“Louis shows that no matter what you have been through, you can overcome it.”