The IMO Podcast - open and honest conversations with care leavers

The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. We want to give care experienced young people a place to tell their stories. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage people in similar situations. About IMO (in my opinion): IMO represents the voices of teenagers in care and care leavers. It’s somewhere you can share stories, experiences and achievements, get and give advice, and find loads of great free stuff! We share blogs, vlogs, podcasts and more from teens in care, and we link Children in Care Councils in England together around common campaigns, to amplify your voice and make a real difference. We also share opportunities for care leavers, like jobs and apprenticeships, and we give away loads of free stuff! IMO was created by the Children’s Commissioner for England in collaboration with an advisory network of teens with care experience. If you’d like to join this network and have a say in how IMO is run, get in touch at https://imohub.org.uk/about/

The IMO Podcast is back with a second series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. We want to give care experienced young people a place to tell their stories. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage people in similar situations. About IMO (in my opinion): IMO represents the voices of teenagers in care and care leavers. It’s somewhere you can share stories, experiences and achievements, get and give advice, and find loads of great free stuff! We share blogs, vlogs, podcasts and more from teens in care, and we link Children in Care Councils in England together around common campaigns, to amplify your voice and make a real difference. We also share opportunities for care leavers, like jobs and apprenticeships, and we give away loads of free stuff! IMO was created by the Children’s Commissioner for England in collaboration with an advisory network of teens with care experience. If you’d like to join this network and have a say in how IMO is run, get in touch at https://imohub.org.uk/about/

Today we're bringing you a mini episode of the IMO podcast because we are celebrating - we've won GOLD at the European Lovie Awards for best interview/talk show podcast. The Lovie Awards honour the best and brightest of the European internet, and we are thrilled to win this award. We couldn't let this moment pass without thanking all of our wonderful guests. The people we interview really are the heart and soul of the IMO podcast, and we're really grateful to and proud of every single one of them for telling their stories. If you're new to the IMO podcast, listen in to this bonus episode for a little snippet of what you can expect, and if you're a regular listener, here's a tribute to our guests with some IMO moments you might remember.

Ella talks to the IMO Podcast about how she feels she was criminalised to manage her behaviour in children’s homes. She chats about bouncing back from results that don’t go your way and holding workers to account by turning up to LAC reviews with a copy of the legislation. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. The first series shines a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

Ryan tells The IMO Podcast why he chose to read his care files and how it’s changed his perspective on being in care. We hear about his voluntary work in the LGBT community and he spills the beans on some of the celebrity interviews he’s done as a journalist. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. The first series shines a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

We met Nathaniel and Victoria through an organisation called Siblings Together. Nathaniel and Victoria are not related but they both were separated from their brothers and sisters when being taken into care. They tell us what that separation feels like and give us an insight into contact arrangements. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. The first series shines a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

We met Rihanna through CHIVA, a foundation that supports young people living with HIV. Rihanna tells us what it’s like to grow up with HIV in England. She tells us about the change in support when she turned 18 and we hear about the challenges and excitement of leaving foster care to go to university. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. The first series shines a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

Steven is a care leaver who is training to be a social worker. He tells us how growing up in care has shaped the kind of social worker he wants to be. We discuss how little time families are given to change when they are under social services assessment and reflect on the lack of aspiration on behalf of care leavers from those who are supposed to inspire them. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. The first series shines a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

Louise talks to the IMO Podcast about loneliness and isolation in the care system, the importance of supporting care leavers to study at postgraduate level, and her experience of building relationships at university. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. Series two continues to shine a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

Care leaver Charlotte talks to the IMO Podcast about the importance of advocacy, accessing mental health support and moving into semi-independent living. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. Series two continues to shine a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

Max and Brandon discuss what life is like in a children's home and their unexpected friendship. They tell us about their first night in care, and why they're the new Ant and Dec. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. The first series shines a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

Episode Notes Zara talks to the IMO podcast about her experience of starting university during the Covid-19 pandemic, why she decided not to take a gap year, and how her time in foster care inspired her to qualify as a social worker. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

In this episode we chat to three care leavers about the upcoming festive season, and what this time of the year is like for them. Elle, Jojo and David discuss dealing with Christmas wobbles and feelings of grief and loss, and they share their advice on how to navigate what can often be a tricky time for care leavers. Wherever you are this Christmas, we hope you're able to enjoy it as much as you can, and we wish you a happy and healthy New Year. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers, shining a light on their experiences. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

Jojo talks to the IMO podcast about his experience of moving out and living alone at 18. He shares his advice for care leavers who are thinking about going to university, and chats about how to keep moving forward when you feel stuck. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

In the final episode of series 2, we speak to care leaver Djamila about how she uses her life experience to support other refugee and migrant young people navigate the care system. She talks about how volunteering for Coram’s Young Citizen’s Programme has helped her gain confidence and find her voice.

In the first episode of series 3 we talk to Jerome about how the suicide of a close friend inspired him to set up The Tope Project, a loving space for care leavers to combat loneliness. He also talks about his journey of healing the traumas he experienced in the care system and living with peace and joy in his present. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. Series three continues to shine a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

Three years ago Ashley Jean-Baptiste joined us to talk about his experiences and career. In the second episode of series 3 Ashley is back and talks to us about ambition and founding Be Inspired, an annual event for care experienced young people to take hold of their futures. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. Series three continues to shine a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

In the third episode of series 3, Isabelle talks to us about her 'corporate parents' breaking up with her via text, her work using art to make a difference and the importance of having ownership of your story and your identity. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. Series three continues to shine a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

In the forth episode of series 3, Ric Flo talks to us about having a creative or physical outlet as therapy, representation in music and managing relationships with foster carers and biological family. He also shares what inspired him and powerful advice for achieving your goals. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. Series three continues to shine a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.

In episode five of series 3, Scarlett talks to IMO about the powerful animations she’s created about her own and others journeys through the foster care system, being separated from her family and siblings, and the compromises the system causes you to make. The IMO Podcast is a series of open and honest conversations with care leavers. Series three continues to shine a light on the experiences of children in care and care leavers. Each episode we invite someone who’s been in care to talk about anything they like. It’s an opportunity to hear the voices of people who often don’t get the chance to tell their stories, and it’s a chance to inspire and encourage others in similar situations. You can find out more about the series at www.imohub.org.uk/podcast.