… As I pause to reflect on our journey, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible people who have believed in Your Life, Your Story. Since that first weekend back in 2017, this vision has been nurtured by care-experienced individuals—those who have been both givers and receivers of state care, and sometimes both. Their lived experiences have brought unparalleled insight, compassion, and strength to this community. It is their unwavering belief and support that have transformed Your Life, Your Story into what it is today: a tapestry of connection, strength, and hope that continues to inspire and change lives.

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This week, while revisiting old films of Yusuf at past YLYS events for our website, I was reminded of why I started this journey and how profoundly his voice shaped it. Watching him again brought a flood of emotions, reminding me just how powerful his words were. Yusuf had this extraordinary ability to speak with such honesty and clarity that his messages resonated deeply with everyone who heard them. His words feel as relevant today as they ever did, perhaps even more so in a world that seems increasingly complex.

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Losing Yusuf during the COVID pandemic was devastating, but his legacy lives on in the wisdom and truth he shared. I can still hear his voice, full of conviction, connecting effortlessly with people, speaking straight from the heart. For those who want to experience his words again, or for the first time, you can find footage from YLYS 2018 and Windsor 2019 on our website: https://www.ylys.org.uk. Watching these moments reminded me again why this journey began and why it must continue with the same authenticity and purpose that Yusuf embodied in every word.

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In 2018, David’s courage in sharing the first YLYS-inspired story about his life in the care system has become a cornerstone of hope for so many. His story revealed the healing power of truth—how sharing our experiences can unite us, inspire others, and drive real change. Then came Saira Jayne, whose creativity brought our first anthology, The Gift of Christmas: The Truth Unwrapped, to life. Her dedication transformed a collection of poems into a reflection of YLYS’s heart, bringing care-experienced adults and caregivers together in a spirit of unity.

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After Yusuf’s passing and the challenges of COVID, David and Saira Jayne were instrumental in keeping YLYS alive, ensuring we never lost sight of what mattered most. Many others have also played vital roles: Taz’s haunting poetry painted unforgettable pictures; Katrina’s compelling words fortified my resolve; Jackie tirelessly connected people with YLYS; and Nushra’s unwavering support has been a constant source of encouragement.

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Sally’s research illuminated the link between care experience and later life mental and physical health, while Lisa’s efforts opened doors to greater awareness and support. Every contribution has been essential, and the generosity of those who have quietly donated has provided the foundation for everything we do. You are the unsung heroes of this story, and your impact cannot be overstated.

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And then there’s the Christmas Single – The Invisible Christmas, born out of YLYS in November 2024 and the coming together of two people. When Rachel shared her song with the group, it ignited something in the room. Sally believed that it needed to be shared with the world and offered to help Rachel take it as far and wide as possible. Her plan— “let’s make it Christmas number one”— began with “let’s make a video,” which turned into “let’s find a musician to appear in the video,” and then, “let’s find a musician to compose the music and be in the video.” 

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After a few setbacks, on the 3rd of December, Sally’s neighbour introduced her to Casper Mason—a talented singer-songwriter and performer who had previously worked on a similar project for a charity supporting young carers. Over a cup of tea in Sally’s kitchen, the plan went from 50 to 500! Casper said he could compose and record the music in an evening, had a pianist friend who could add ‘flourishes,’ and knew exactly how to get the song on all the streaming platforms. With the song taking shape, they turned their attention to brainstorming ideas for the music video—a task that quickly revealed itself to be even more challenging given the extremely tight timeline. 

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Sally needed to secure a venue, a filmographer, an editor, and an actor—all available by the following weekend—to turn everything around in just a matter of days. Ever resourceful, Sally managed to arrange almost everything except the filmographer. Refusing to let this setback slow her down, she came up with an inventive solution: gathering the necessary equipment and filming the video on mobile phones in the summer house at the bottom of my garden. To complete the team, she enlisted her goddaughter Pollyanna—a budding dancer and aspiring movie star—to star in the video, and my neighbour Ben ‘the film guy’ to handle the editing.  

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As excitement grew and the true potential of the song became apparent, we decided to seize the opportunity to push the boundaries of what the song could achieve —we wanted to use it to raise awareness of care experience, elevate the profile of YLYS so that we can continue being a catalyst for purposeful creativity, and shine a spotlight on Sally’s vital research. ​What is perhaps the most magical part of this story is that every member of the team Sally brought together stepped up to offer their time and talents for free. Despite the constraints, we managed to create a Christmas single that will forever be number one in our hearts—a true testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and the importance of unity.

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When I think about all the amazing people who have joined us on this journey, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. Each of you has brought something truly unique and irreplaceable to this tapestry of connection and hope. Together, we’ve created something beautiful that continues to make a real difference in both small and profound ways.​ And so this Christmas, I want to thank each and every one of you, from the storytellers to the listeners, the dreamers to the doers. You are the greatest gift of all. Let us carry the spirit of giving, the power of truth, and the joy of connection with us as we move into the year ahead and look forward to publishing our second anthology.

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Amanda x