We recommend this…
for anyone who would find it helpful to hear about someone else’s experience of being fostered and growing up in care homes – perhaps if you have had similar experiences to Sissay, or are thinking of fostering or adopting a child, or are working in education, social work, local or national government, mental health or community organising.
A quick summary…
This is Lemn Sissay’s memoir about his childhood in the care system. Sadly, it’s a story of racism, inadequate care, repeated failures by the system and painful discoveries. Remarkably, it’s also a story of the power of creativity, a testament to his survival and an urgent, eloquent voicing of so much that has gone unheard.
Content note: if you have had similar experiences to Sissay, please go gently with this and seek support if reading it brings up painful stuff.