From quiet to confident: becoming a voice for change and a future medic.

My name is Derin. I am 22 years old and a student in the medical field. I’ve been playing music since the age of 9. In 2019, when I was in college doing my ESOL, I had the opportunity to perform at a student talent show in London. It was great, and I still have the photographs. Despite my love for music, I have always known that I wanted to pursue medicine.

I have always felt like Drive Forward is family. I don’t have a family here, so I go to Drive Forward whenever I have certain issues. I value that the most – to socialise and have a community. Before Drive Forward, I used to be a quiet person and not very social. But joining and being socialised, talking at events, attending Policy Forum events, meeting other young people, and meeting other Career Specialists has really opened my eyes. Now I communicate with other people much better.

Just over a year ago, I was referred to Drive Forward through my Local Authority. At the time, I was already a student. I told my new Career Specialist, Daniella, that at this point in time, my focus was on finding a job to support myself while at university. Finally, we came across NHS reservists programme, which was absolutely perfect for me.

Being part of the community

In June 2024, I became a member of Drive Forward’s Policy Forum and have been very involved in it. Since then, I have been to Parliament a few times, to the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and I’ve met with the Minister for Children and Families in DfE, who came to one of our Policy Forum sessions (this is a big step for the Policy Forum). The Greater London Assembly also got in touch with us. They thought Drive Forward Policy Forum members were the go-to place to ask care leavers about what we want to change! The reports will eventually go to the Mayor of London with our recommendations and suggestions, where our stories will be shared!

There are so many big events that I have been to with Drive Forward. I went to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), where I met with airline managers from Heathrow and other airports. At the CAA event, I also met pilots from different places such as the Royal Air Force and had the chance to network with RAF members and exchange details for future consideration after graduation in my field of study. Although I am interested in specialising in either neurology or oncology, I couldn’t afford losing the chance of networking with the RAF for any potential future role related to my field of study. Thanks to Drive Forward for such an important opportunity!

I love the fact that I am so busy with Drive Forward. It’s not that I just want to do events; I also want to make a change for other care leavers, and that is why we have the Policy Forum, which stands for all care leavers in the UK.

Drive Forward is more than just a charity. They feel like a family. You don’t have to be in a set place to join the charity. You could be anywhere on your journey I feel so free with them. My advice to other care leavers would be to join Drive Forward because they expose you to so many opportunities that you might not have found yourself. Also, it is important to make networks, meet other people, and get involved in changing the care leaver system in the UK.