About
Looked After Synopsis
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.
About This Edition
Press Reviews
Ashley John-Baptiste Press Reviews
'An inspiring story of triumph over adversity.' - Fatima Whitbread
'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
'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
'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. Ashley is an incredible advocate for kids in the care system and his story should inspire all of us to think about how we can better address the injustices that so many kids face so early in life. 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
Author
About Ashley John-Baptiste
Ashley John-Baptiste is an award-winning BBC broadcast journalist and frequent reporter & host for Morning Live, Sunday Morning Live and The One Show.
Ashley is an ambassador for The Fostering Network charity and a truly inspirational public speaker. He was shortlisted for the RTS Young Talent Of The Year 2018 award.
He is the founder of the online charity Be Inspired, supporting young people leaving care and helping them fulfil their aspirations.
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