The achievements of children and young people in care, care leavers and children in kinship care, and the adults that support them across West Sussex have been celebrated at the Exceptional People in Care (EPIC) awards.
Taking on a new format this year, the EPIC Awards, hosted by West Sussex County Council’s Voice and Participation team, will take place across multiple events throughout the year, the first of which took place last Saturday (7 June).
The event was hosted at Felpham Community Hall, Bognor Regis which was transformed to host a stylish afternoon tea and awards ceremony, as well as a host of art, competition and sensory activities for guests. The colours, decorations, activities and prizes were chosen by the Children in Care Council, a group of young people in care, who helped organise the awards and host the ceremony.
Awards and prizes were handed out for categories including Big Hearts, Big Talent, Big Thinker, and Big Strength winners, Best Carer, and Best Supporting Adult.
Winners included a young person who taught themselves to play the violin, another who made huge strides in their education and has been invited to study at a new level for Health and Social Care, and a young person who truly supported their neighbours and has brought such joy and kindness to their community.
Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said: “This event provided another wonderful opportunity to celebrate the successes of children and young people in care, care leavers and children in kinship care, and I am so proud of them all. The achievements of these children and young people are inspiring, as is the hard work of the adults who support them, whose dedication to putting children first is key to helping them achieve their full potential.”
The next EPIC awards will take place on Saturday 27th September 2025. If you would like to support this event by sponsoring it or donating prizes, please email voice@westsussex.gov.uk
West Sussex County Council is calling on residents to help shape their new Children and Young People’s Plan. Find out more and share your views here https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/
