Support Moments That Matter ❤️ for Brighton's Young Care Leavers

Earlier this year, while beginning to explore the return of the Brighton & Hove Care Leavers Xmas Dinner, we were invited along to the Brighton & Hove Care Leavers Forum.

We went to listen, learn and explore together what an Xmas gathering might look like for Brightons young care leavers. What stayed with us was the energy, care and activism already in the room. Care leavers  coming together in their own time, not only to build friendships and community with one another, but to make things better for other care experienced people across Brighton & Hove.

We came away inspired by what they were  crating and wanting to get behind it and we'd like to give a little early Xmas present ❤️

Moments That Matter is a community interest group set up by care leavers in Brighton & Hove, for care leavers.

It grew from care leavers who attend the Brighton & Hove Care Leavers Forum, which has been running for five years with support from the Council's Youth Empowerment Team. The Forum provides a space for care leavers over 18 to meet one another and influence positive change in services supporting care experienced children and young adults.

That work has already contributed to change locally, including free bus travel currently being piloted for care leavers in Brighton & Hove, more support for young parents and improvements to the process of accessing care records.

Moments That Matter grew from that community. It raises funds for activities, trips and shared experiences that bring care leavers together, supporting connection, mental wellbeing and reducing social isolation.

These moments matter.

For care experienced young people who may not have the family networks or wider support around them that others can rely on, opportunities to go somewhere together, try something new, celebrate, laugh and make memories can be especially important. They create things to look forward to, but also relationships, connection and a sense of belonging.

Care experienced activist, project worker with the Care Leavers Association (CLA), and Churchill Fellow Terri-Anne Hamer has been developing The Lifelong Village, a model centred on lifelong support, connection and community. Her work has included asking what it really takes to sustain community for people with care experience. 

That idea really resonates with us.

We all need a village.

Moments That Matter is care leavers building and strengthening that village together in Brighton & Hove. Through our Xmas Dinner community, we'd love to be part of the wider village around them , helping raise funds and awareness for what they're already creating.

Last weekend Sunday 4 October, Jamie Crabb and Poppy Jaman from our Xmas Dinner community ran the Life Style Sports Irish 3/4 Marathon 2026. We'd originally been thinking about the run as part of our wider Xmas fundraising. Instead, we chose to raise some awareness and funds for Moments That Matter.

And we'd like this to be only the beginning.

We're working alongside the Care Leavers Forum on a Brighton & Hove National Care Leavers Month celebration this November, where we'll continue raising awareness and funds for Moments That Matter that reflecting the NCLM theme Leading The Way: From Experience to Empowerment.

The Brighton & Hove Care Leavers Xmas Dinner is about more than one day in December.

We're interested in what becomes possible when a community grows around care, connection and belonging throughout the year.

Sometimes that means noticing what's already growing and getting behind it.

We're delighted to stand alongside Moments That Matter, celebrate what care leavers are creating together and help make more of those moments possible.

If you'd like to join the village, you can donate, share this page, or simply help us spread the word about Moments That Matter.

Every contribution through this fundraiser will support Moments That Matter and the activities and trips they create for care leavers in Brighton & Hove.

With love ❤️

Brighton & Hove Care Leavers Xmas Dinner Community 🎄