Alternative advent calendar: 8 December

Ebony Hughes, Assistant Director Children’s Services, writes:

We got to know Shannon through her involvement in the ‘job club’ that we set up with London Borough of Islington. (The job club helps care leavers apply for jobs and prepares them for employment.) Having been impressed by her attitude and potential, we went on to offer her an internship in the iMPOWER office which she took up earlier this year. One of her achievements during the internship was to write an essay for our Shining a Light essay collection. This is a publication that has been read by people at the highest levels, and for Shannon to write such a powerful and honest essay for a national publication was truly inspiring.