The Cocoon celebrates its first birthday

The Cocoon, Havering’s drop-in service for young people in care, has celebrated its first anniversary.

The service, which provides a space where young people leaving care or who have experienced care, can get help and support, held a day packed with activities to mark the occasion.
Young people enjoyed a talent show, games, arts and crafts, music and were able to mix socially.

Councillor Robert Benham, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning, said:

“The Cocoon has a real pride of place in the borough as it provides a unique space for young people who are in care or leaving care to access a range of support services and advice on issues such as health, education, employment and housing.

“The Council tasked itself with improving the lives of care leavers and a year on we can see that The Cocoon has brought about a real sense of community for young people. We can see many of our ambitions realised as we work towards becoming a regional centre of excellence for care leaving services.”

The Council-funded space opened in October 2017 and was developed in partnership with young people who helped to design the layout and named the space, as well as create the branding for The Cocoon.

Since its opening, the centre, located in Romford town centre, has been endorsed by Ofsted as “highly impressive” and recently received a visit from its chief inspector who said she was keen to visit following positive feedback from her inspectors earlier this year.