Ealing Filmmaker Spotlights Kinship Care

Young people tell story of being raised by relative or family friend

Ki (right) with his uncle who helped with the film

March 20, 2025

A young filmmaker from Ealing has participated in a project which tells the story of life in kinship care.

19-year-old Ki, who lives with his uncle and aunt, is one of 141,000 young people in England and Wales raised by relative or family friend when their parents are unable to care for them.

Along with other young people in the same situation he worked on a powerful short film revealing what growing up in kinship care is like. This was premiered by the leading national kinship care charity Kinship at a celebratory screening in Hackney on Tuesday 18 March.

Young Londoners with firsthand experience of kinship care used their voices and experience to create the animation. They worked closely with a specialist film production company and were engaged in script writing, storyboarding and voice overs. They hope it will increase awareness and reassure children in kinship care that they are not alone.

The Kinship Young Champion’s film project funded by BBC Children in Need highlights that the number in kinship care is double those in foster care and describes the highs and lows they face as they adjust to their new lives.

The film also shows that kinship families and young people need increased access to support to help them deal with the trauma, separation and loss many children have experienced before coming into kinship care.

The Government’s National Kinship Care Ambassador, Jahnine Davis, joined the young people behind the project and their kinship carers and families for the celebratory launch at The Castle Cinema.

Ki said, “We want the film to raise awareness among children and young people in kinship care who may not know what kinship care is. We also want to encourage the Government to make positive change happen for kinship families.

“Kinship children and young people need support, and we want to let them know that they don’t have to face this journey on their own and that it’s going to be ok.

“Helping to make this film has been a great experience, it’s been interesting, positive and fun and I am really proud of what we’ve created.”

At the screening Jahnine Davis told the young people, “What I’ve seen tonight is absolutely amazing. I was in kinship care as a child and the film shows so many different emotions and experiences that I encountered. Know that your voices and experience do truly matter and know that I am here to advocate for your needs and experiences. You are seen, you are heard and you’re certainly not alone.”

Kinship is committed to ensuring kinship families receive better support through its #ValueOurLove campaign..  

Kinship Chief Executive, Lucy Peake said, “We hope that this brilliant film produced by these talented young people in kinship care will help to highlight what it’s like to be raised in kinship care.

“This unique project has brought together young people in kinship care to share their experiences, connect with other young people and create a compelling film which shows the ups and downs of their lives. We hope it will help to reassure other children and young people growing up with a relative or family friend that while it can be tough at times, it can also give them the love and security they need.

“We know from our research that there are kinship children in every school playground who have been through trauma, such as separation and loss, but whose needs are being overlooked and ignored.

“We celebrate the achievements of the Young Champion’s project and we remain committed to providing opportunities to young people in kinship care to share their experiences with decision-makers to increase understanding of their unique needs and the lack of support.”

Since 2021 the Young Champion’s Project has brought together young people living in kinship care across London and surrounding areas. Throughout the project, participants have enjoyed a range of g activities, including football stadium tours, graffiti workshops and DJ sessions.