As the only UK voices on the Children and Young People’s Global Taskforce for Care Reform, Railway Children Youth Ambassadors Corey and Elliot brought their lived experience to parliament!
Author: Lucy Carman | Date: 29th May 2026
On a Monday evening in May, a roomful of politicians, decision-makers and NGO workers fell silent as two young people spoke powerfully about their own experience of the UK care system and what they feel needs to change.
Elliott and Corey, two of Railway Children’s youth ambassadors were speaking at a parliamentary networking event as representatives of The Children and Young People’s Global Taskforce for Care Reform.
The event formed part of the Global Partnerships Conference and took place at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London. Speakers and attendees, including the Deputy Prime Minister, The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, came together to explore how modern partnerships can ensure every child grows up in a safe, nurturing and loving family environment – and a key part of that was hearing from young people who have experienced the care system firsthand.
Corey and Elliott are two of Railway Children’s youth ambassadors – part of the charity’s Youth Platform programme which brings young people together to influence policy and progress change. Both have lived experience of the UK care system and are the only young people from the UK to sit on the Children and Young People’s Global Taskforce for Care Reform – a group set up to ensure the voices and experiences of children and young people remain at the centre of the Global Campaign for Care Reform.
They were interviewed at the event by Sky Sports F1 presenter, Natalie Pinkham, an active campaigner to keep children with their families and out of institutional care.
“It was important to be at the event as I have grown up in care and people need to hear thoughts and experiences firsthand,” says Corey. “When people asked me questions at the event, it felt like they genuinely wanted to hear my answers.”
Following the event, the Children and Young People’s Global Taskforce will meet regularly to hold leaders to account on promises made, to shape the global story on children’s care and to share their views with decision-makers and governments.
Elliott and Corey, along with other members of the global taskforce, will also continue to raise awareness of the issues around care reform through blogs, social media posts and other materials, and will receive funding to launch their own local initiatives.
Elliot and Corey’s willingness to speak out to make a difference will stay with attendees long after the event is over.
“As a charity working with vulnerable children and families every day, we know that to truly reform children’s care, young people’s voices must be at the centre of the conversation,” says Rob Capener, Railway Children Group CEO. “I couldn’t have been prouder to see Corey and Elliott take to the stage to address the Deputy Prime Minister, politicians and NGOs from around the world. As part of a global young persons’ task force, they are bringing powerful lived experience, insight and leadership to help shape how we rethink support for children so they can grow up safe, nurtured and able to thrive.”
In the words of Youth Ambassador, Elliott: “If everyone just does their own small thing for care reform, then the world will be a better place.”
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