Taking part and having fun
London is an exciting and busy city. We want to help all our children in care and care leavers to make the most of the amazing opportunities that London has to offer.
Have a look at the range of activities we host, and all the other exciting events you can access across London, many at discounted prices.
City of London Children in Care Council is a place where all children in care, and care leavers from the City of London can come together, share experiences, suggest changes to the services you receive, make friends, and enjoy a wide range of activities throughout the year.
We will share our events on this page, or you can contact us at: participation@cityoflondon.gov.uk if you would like to be part of our WhatsApp group and receive information this way. Send your number to the above email address or let your social worker know you would like to join the group.
If you need any help accessing any of the events or opportunities below, please speak with your key work, social worker, or contact the participation worker at: participation@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Partnership for Young London offers lots of events and opportunities for you to get involved in. For information, please visit the website: Events | PYL (partnershipforyounglondon.org.uk)
You can also get involved with their work, supporting improvements in the services children in care and care leavers receive, and learning valuable skills: Our work | PYL (partnershipforyounglondon.org.uk)
You might want to develop a relationship with an adult outside of the services you work with, especially if you don’t have a family network locally.
We can match you with an independent visitor; an adult who volunteers to regularly spend time with a young person in care.
They will meet with you each month for a minimum of two years. You can spend your time with them as you like: doing activities, or going for a coffee and a chat.
They will support you to develop your interests, and provide guidance and advice as needed.
To find out more please see: London Independent Visitors | Action For Children, or speak with your social worker.
Care Leaver Covenant offers lots of discounts, and access to activities across the UK.
Please see Care Leaver Opportunities - Care Leaver Covenant (mycovenant.org.uk) for more information.
There are a range of cultural venues and theatres show across London that you can access discounted tickets for:
National Theatre Entry Pass: £5 tickets to every single show at the National Theatre, plus access to exclusive workshops and discounts at their cafes and bookshops. You can even bring a friend, who does not have a £5 ticket, along for £7.50.
Young Barbican: 14 –25 year olds can get tickets from £5 - £15 once you sign up to Young Barbican.
Almeida Theatre: offers £5 tickets to any production in the Almeida's new season, at a selection of performances throughout the run. You need to be under 25 years old and book online using the code: UNDER25
Bush Connect: Anyone under the age of 26, and students, get £5 off standard tickets in the theatre and £2.50 off tickets in the studio. You also get 10% discount at the bar, and there are regular food and drink promotions.
Chichester Festival Theatre: Outside of London you can get tickets for £5, if you are aged between 16 and 25 years old, by joining the free Prologue scheme.
Donmar Warehouse's Young Free: offers completely free tickets to young people aged 25 years and under. All you need to do is sign up to the email alerts.
ENO Under 21s: Get free opera tickets to see all English National Opera (ENO) performances at the London Coliseum if you are under 21 years of age.
Hampstead Downstairs Club: offers £5 ticket to shows in the theatre downstairs, if you are aged between 16 – 30 years.
Masterclass: provides masterclasses, apprenticeships and other opportunities for everyone ages 16 to 30 years. They also have a range of ticket offers for members to make use of.
Mousetrap Theatre Projects run two schemes: C145 for 15-18 year olds, with £5 tickets available for a variety of shows and WestEnd4 £10, which is for 19 - 23 year olds.
Open Air Theatre BREEZE: have special events for their BREEZE members with £10 tickets. This includes a discount at their bar and barbecue.
RSC and TikTok £10 tickets: Young people aged 14 - 25 years old, full-time students and UK state schools can see Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) shows for £10.
Young Vic: You can get £10 tickets at the Young Vic if you are under 26 years. Full time students can, too.
Eventbrite displays a range of free or cheap events and activities for you to access in a wide range of locations.
For information about things to do in and around the City of London, including free activities, events and opportunities, see the 'What's On' section on the Family Information Service (FIS) website:
The latest City CICC newsletter with upcoming events and opportunities with the City and other organisations is available to download at the end of this page.
| What you said... | What we did... |
| Travel Pass availability | All young people have been given the equivalent of 4 months money to cover bus fares, pending the TfL London Mayor scheme that starts in January 2024 |
| Access to the internet at home |
Checks are being made with all care providers to ensure that they are providing Wi-Fi access to all our young people. If you are having problems with access to Wi-Fi in your home speak to your social worker |
| Accommodation - small, unsuitable |
When commissioning accommodation providers we do check on the size and type of accommodation being offered. We want to offer our care leavers permanent accommodation as soon as possible and this does mean that they are likely to be studio flats rather than one-bedroom flats. However, being in permanent accommodation provides more stability than temporary accommodation. Where specific concerns are raised a manager will offer to visit your accommodation to check the size and functionality of the property to ensure it is appropriate. Where accommodation is unsuitable alternative options will be explored. |
| Access to working laptops |
Replacement laptops can be provided by the Virtual School. If you have an issue with your laptop please contact Debby.Rigby@cityoflondon.gov.uk the Head of the Virtual School, or speak with your social worker. |
| Extra tuition |
Where extra tuition is assessed as a learning need this can be provided by the Virtual School, please contact Debby.Rigby@cityoflondon.gov.uk the Head of the Virtual School, or speak with your social worker. |
| Careers guidance |
All City children in care and care leavers can access providing Information, Advice and Guidance on Education, Employment and Training from Prospects, contact Matilda Newman-Smart at City@prospects.co.uk or call 07585 401280 A new online app CiCi can be accessed from December, which is funded by the Virtual School. The new CiCC website also has a range of support services which can help you find advice around employment opportunities. All will receive an invitation to special sessions at the London Careers Festival in February 2024. |
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Better communication around events and opportunities |
We now have a full up to date contact list for all children in care and care leavers. For those with an email address we will email information of events and opportunities. A great way to stay up to date is to join our CiCC Whatsapp Group https://chat.whatsapp.com/1rqr4Pk6INLFD2QaVtEuW3 you can also find lots of information on our new CiCC website page. |
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Including young people in the development of the Care Leaver Offer |
Draft copies of the Care Leaver Offer are available at the CiCC meeting on 19/12/23 for those that attend and would like to take away, review, and respond with suggestions. The offer of a session to review and feedback on the document will be made for those that would like to attend. |