Wandsworth care leaver shares her journey of 'growth, learning and finding her voice' for National Care Leavers Month

This year’s theme, ‘Rising as Me: Overcoming challenges, transforming, and finding your identity’ celebrates the strength, resilience, and transformation of care leavers, those who have faced adversity and emerged with courage, confidence, and purpose.

Among those sharing their story this month is Dominique Pryce, a Wandsworth care leaver who has overcome challenges to build a future full of hope and determination.

Dominique describes her journey through care as one of “growth, learning and finding her voice”.

“I remember the day I went into care vividly,” she says. “I felt completely alone and unloved by everyone who was supposed to care for me. Looking back, those early days were some of the hardest. I was grieving the loss of the life I knew and struggling to make sense of a new one.”

To Dominique, independence means “having the freedom to do what I want, when I want, having financial stability, confidence in myself and trust that I’ll be ok”.

Leaving care, she says, was both exciting and daunting. “I struggled to understand what being an adult really meant, how to handle difficult situations and how to forgive. Eventually, I realised that all the energy I was giving to the wrong people could be turned into growth and building a better life for myself.”

With the support of Wandsworth’s Future First Leaving Care Service, Dominique began to believe in her own potential. Future First supports young people who have been in the care of Wandsworth Council to build the independent adult life that’s right for them, offering personalised guidance through advisers who help care leavers access housing, education, training, employment, and wellbeing support.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, Dominique said: “‘Rising as Me’ means discovering what makes me happy, understanding my purpose in the world, and finding peace within myself.” She adds that her experience has helped shape who she is today.

Dominique credits the people who supported her along the way. “My mum, my youth worker and my advisers all believed in me and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone for my own growth.”

“Being care-experienced doesn’t define you,” Dominique adds. “It’s part of your story but not your whole story.” Inspired by her experiences, she has gone on to support others through community projects, including a summer school in Jamaica and a UK-based charity teaching young people life skills.

Today, Dominique is focused on creating a safe space where young people can connect, learn new things and find happiness in the moment. She is passionate about inspiring other care leavers to believe in themselves and recognise their potential.

Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Children, praised Dominique’s story as a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience of care-experienced young people. She said: “National Care Leavers Month is a chance to celebrate extraordinary individuals like Dominique, who show us what it means to rise above challenges and create a positive future.

“We are committed to supporting every care leaver in Wandsworth to reach their full potential.”

Wandsworth Council provides a wide range of support for care leavers aged 16 to 25, including personal advisors, housing support, education and employment opportunities, and wellbeing services, to help young people transition confidently into adulthood.

Find out more information about National Care Leavers Month and support for care leavers in Wandsworth.