Care Leavers Week. Spotlight on Zaynab

The 24th October highlights the start of National Care Leavers Week 2022, the world’s biggest celebration of children and young people with care experience. We couldn’t think of a better opportunity to put a spotlight on Zaynab: care leaver, Capstone Care Leavers Trust Recipient, inspirational leader, entrepreneur, all of that and she is only in her second year of university!

Speaking to Zaynab the first thing that comes across is how articulate and passionate she is, not something you may expect from someone who had such difficult teenage years. But when you look again at Zaynab’s long list of achievements then it is not surprising at all that she comes across as someone wise beyond their years.

Currently in her second year of a Human Neuroscience Degree at Birmingham University, Zaynab already has a wealth of achievements under her belt, having been a recipient of a Princess Diana Award, a published author, founder of her own charity, and having just returned from meeting the Crown Princess of Denmark for the International Conference on Youth Mental health. Zaynab’s life is all go at the moment, and a world away from her previous adverse experiences. When we asked where she draws her passion from, she admitted,

“It came from a place of pain. Being autistic myself and having first-hand experience of what it is to be sectioned at such a young age. Through long term therapy and a lot of hard work I was able to find my purpose - I know that my calling is to help others.”

We can certainly believe that Zaynab is on course to change the world, indeed her story is a moving one. For the last two years Capstone Care Leavers Trust has awarded £3000 in contributions towards Zaynab’s tuition fees, in order to support her with her aspirations. Zaynab continued,

“The support from Capstone Care Leavers Trust has made such a difference to me.”

Zaynab has not set her sights small, and we couldn’t help but smile as she talked us through her eleven-year plan! Which includes medical school, PHD’s and possibly even an end goal of NHS Commissioner. Zaynab has her future mapped out in front of her.

As a care leaver we wondered if Zaynab ever reflects back on her journey and wonders how she got to where she is now,

“My experiences have made me who I am, naturally I would like to take away the pain but I would not take away the drive that it has given me. To no longer be surviving but thriving.”

What inspirational words from this young person.

Capstone Care Leavers Trust invests in better outcomes for care leavers. They award grants to individuals in need between the ages of 17 – 25 who have been in Local Authority Care in England and Wales.

Find out more about them! They also offer advice and guidance to young people to help reduce the risk of social exclusion and enhance their lives.