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Looked After
- A Childhood in Care
- Narrated by: Ashley John-Baptiste
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
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Looked After
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Summary
'This is a book that everyone must read. No matter how you grew up it's for you: it'll make you rethink your own childhood and your relationships with everyone you know. It's funny, moving and of course it's often sad. But mainly it's a beautiful and fascinating and enlightening portrait of the care system, a world that is barely understood by many of us. It is also a proper page turner: the twists and turns and set-backs of his childhood are as gripping as they are shocking. I genuinely couldn't put it down.
This story is more urgent and relevant now than ever.' - Xand van Tulleken
'Ashley John-Baptiste joins a high class of writing by upstanding respectful and honourable citizens and professionals, professors and actors, lawyers, doctors, artists and authors, all who happen to have had a life in care. We have every right to tell our story as much as anyone else. Welcome, Ashley.' - Lemn Sissay
'An inspiring story of triumph over adversity.' - Fatima Whitbread
'Ashley has done the country a great service in shining a light on the inhumane - and at times brutal - way that society supports this most vulnerable group of children. Every politician should read this book and commit to fixing the system.' - Sharon White
Ashley John-Baptiste grew up in the British care system, living with five different families, without ever being truly part of a family.
It wasn't easy, or straightforward, and Ashley's ever-changing living situation affected every single part of his life - from his education to his sense of identity to his friendships and his hobbies. And yet, throughout everything his childhood in care threw at him, Ashley remained resilient and found a way to take advantage of the opportunities that came his way.
Now Ashley feels able to tell us - vividly and movingly - how, when it felt like the world was turning its back on him, he refused to be an outsider in his own home and set about establishing a new and positive life for himself.
Looked After is a memoir written from the heart that pulls no punches but demonstrates that given encouragement and love - and, sometimes, a second chance - a care-experienced boy can become a successful broadcaster, a loving husband and a proud father.
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What listeners say about Looked After
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- L M MacIntyre
- 22-06-24
Absolutely incredible real life story of growing up in care
I was blown away by Ashley’s story of his time in care. A must read for everyone. Ashley you’re an incredible person to have overcome so much on your own.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kindle Customer
- 04-10-24
Ashley transports you to his inner world - thought provoking and incredibly powerful.
Listening to Ashley's story is incredibly powerful. It gives a thought-provoking glimpse into the inner voice of a Looked After Child and the challenges they face being in the care system. As a social worker, it brought up interactions I'd had with children and challenged the messages I may have inadvertently given as well as fondly remembering the relationships I built and the goodbyes that felt final and unnatural to me, let alone the children themselves. A must read for anyone, it speaks to humanity and is the sort of book that will stick in your mind once you've read it.
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- Anonymous User
- 21-06-24
A captivating and thought-provoking story, shared in such an inspirational way. Highly recommended.
Ashley, wow! I finished listening to your audiobook the other day and I’m now re-listening with my husband! The way you’ve shared your journey in such a captivating and thought-provoking way has truly touched us both. Some of the stories you share are so raw, and you’ve presented them in a way that’s powerful and inspiring. My husband and I are near the end of the adoption process and will hopefully be approved soon. Throughout our adoption journey, your documentaries, podcast interviews, and now your book have played a massive part in helping us gain an understanding of how a young person in care might feel and the experiences they face. So for that, we thank you. Congratulations, Ashley you deserve all the success in the world!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Charlotte Arthur
- 29-06-24
Raw emotion and honestly
A real insight into the harsh reality and challenges facing looked after children. As a care experienced person I'm very greatful for Ashley sharing his story, shining a light on this often forgotten subject. Well Done Ashley! ✨️
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lyn price
- 16-06-24
The cruelties of the care system
I felt the lines about how the little boy Ashley was feeling were stunning. I also enjoyed his friendships and would have liked more of this. Some of the descriptive sections were flat.
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- Social Mike
- 23-06-24
what an amazing book! an emotional roller coaster
I'm a foster carer and have been for many years, I have really enjoyed listening to this audiobook, tears of joy and sadness. I don't know you but I feel incredibly proud of you. A true inspiration.
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-09-24
Thanks for sharing your humbling experience
A stark insight into the “care system” thank you for sharing your story and providing an insight into a system I had no knowledge of. I cried for the little boy who didn’t feel he belonged and was so touched by your inner strength. Well worth listening to.
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- Grace
- 22-06-24
Inspiring story
I loved the authors unwillingness to be defeated by all the hardship he encountered in life. A fantastic insight into the care system and the lasting impact this has on children and adults!
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- Liz R
- 19-06-24
inspirational
loved this honest, tragic yet inspirational book, told from the heart. I hope we might learn from it,to influence social "care". .... but I fear we won't. a Great insight into the loneli
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- Lakeisha Davidson
- 17-09-24
A child’s experience of the coldness of “care”
I’m so glad Ashley himself narrated this book, this book shared the realities of what could look like a success story of the care system. Ashley is an inspiration. I would say this is essential reading not just for social workers, teachers and foster carers but for society at large - I read this in a day, it was just so captivating!
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