Casey Armstrong defied the odds of many young care leavers but her experience with foster care came at a huge personal cost. Entering foster care at fourteen after a turbulent upbringing, Casey didn’t realise the clock was ticking before she would be forced to leave her stable foster home. Due to something called the Care Cliff, Casey was expected to be independent at eighteen. The relationships and support she knew suddenly ended and her life fell apart. Now, 5 years later Casey is at University studying Astrophysics, a subject that inspired her to change her life. However, her journey could have been different and she desperately wants to see change in the care system.
Here, she talks to Annie about her experience before and after going into care, what she endured due to the Care Cliff and how, despite this, she managed to change her life for the better.
Content warning: multiple references to attempted suicide.
Thank you to Become Charity for partnering us with Casey (The charity for children in care and young care leavers). The charity is campaigning to end the Care Cliff. You can find out more about Become Charity here: https://becomecharity.org.uk/
Should you be affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, in the UK, The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123. Hotlines in other countries can be found here.
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