Serene Pod | Season 3, Episode 9 - Growing Up in Care & Fighting for Your Rights

In our latest episode of Serene Pod, we sit down with Shannon; a care leaver, advocate, and the brilliant mind behind My Life, My Rights. Shannon entered the care system as a young teenager and was living independently by the age of 16. In this honest and deeply moving conversation, she reflects on what it felt like to navigate a system that was rarely explained to her; the loneliness, the uncertainty, and the emotional weight of so many transitions happening all at once, while still trying to figure out who she was. But Shannon didn't just survive it. She did something remarkable, she started researching her rights, answering questions on TikTok, and eventually created a booklet to help other young care leavers understand what they're entitled to. What began as a personal mission quickly became a widely shared resource and one that caught the attention of the BBC. In this episode, Shannon walks us through some of the most important rights care leavers should know about, including council tax exemptions and access to a Personal Adviser (PA) for continued support. Rights that can make a real difference, but only if young people know they exist. This is a conversation about resilience, connection, and why being informed can be the first step tbuo feeling truly supported. If you've ever felt like you had to figure things out alone, then this one's for you. To find out more about Shannon's incredible work and access her resources, visit Future for Care Leavers at the link below. 🔗 www.futureforcareleavers.com