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Writers

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James MacVeigh

James MacVeigh is a reformed offender who managed to reinvent himself through writing. He has written biographies, local history and crime paperbacks and e-books as well as plays for stage and radio. His father kicked him out in 1963 at the age of 16. After he was caught breaking into cars, he was sent to a Detention Centre. Borstal followed. He wrote Gaskin (1982) about Graham Gaskin who was placed in care as a baby after his mother committed suicide by throwing herself from the Wallasey ferry. Graham was passed from children's home, to foster family, to institution, often being mistreated by those in authority. As he came of age, Graham had nowhere to turn but to a life on the streets, eventually living by his wits around the world.

Children and young people in social care, and those who have left, are often subject to stigmatisation and discrimination. Being stigmatised and discriminated against can impact negatively on mental health and wellbeing not only during the care experience but often for many years after too. The project aims to contribute towards changing community attitudes towards care experienced people as a group. See glossary HERE


Website set up with support from The Welland Trust 

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