Daring to dream big: A conversation with Mo Jamil

In our first ever podcast episode, our expert by experience and non-exec director, Sherrie Austin, talks to The Voice's Mo Jamil about the importance of having big aspirations for children growing up in care.

Daring to dream is a sentiment close to the heart of Juno. We believe that people in our care should be dreaming big! Do they want to travel and see the world when they turn 18? Maybe they want to go to university? Maybe they want to be on Broadway! 

It feels revolutionary and brings to mind a line from James Oppenheim’s 1911 poem Bread and Roses:  “Hearts starve as well as bodies: Give us bread but give us roses”. Of course, we need to make sure people in our care are prepared for life post-18, but how do we make sure they have the same opportunities for joy, exploration and excitement?

Too often, we see the conversation around people leaving care as “can they cook and budget? Can we get them a council house? Can they clean? Can they manage to live on their benefits?” How can care experienced people believe we can be more if we don’t have clear, relatable examples of people doing just that? If we don’t have someone who will listen to us practice? Someone who will show us around universities and help us navigate how to live in halls? Someone to help you figure out travel visas and ways to finance it? How do we expect young people to have hope life can be different when we continue to do the same ineffective things? 

Time and time again, I’ve read and heard from care experienced people about the importance of even one person in their corner daring to dream.

Recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with my friend Mo Jamil. We grew up in care under the same LA. Despite the difficulties that come with being care experienced, Mo has celebrated amazing success throughout his music career. It was such a pleasure to ask him some questions and learn from his invaluable insight.

I truly believe there needs to be long term, systemic change. But for now, I’m grateful to Mo for sharing his story. To everyone that has ever felt wronged by the care system, who works hard to make change. To Juno for giving us the opportunity to share Mo’s story and for never forgetting that the people in our care deserve a beautiful life. 

Sherrie Austin, Expert by Experience and Non-Executive Director

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