Ex-hostel residents sought
FORMER pupils who stayed in Lerwick’s Anderson High School halls of residence are being encouraged to share their experiences as part of a nationwide survey.
The National Confidential Forum is keen to hear from anyone who has spent time in institutional care in Scotland as a child, including boarding hostels and schools, residential care and the health service.
The feedback will then be looped back into the system to suggest improvements.
The Janet Courtney Hostel at the Anderson High School in Lerwick has long been a mainstay for secondary pupils who live in Shetland’s most remote communities.
The hostel will be replaced by a 100-bedroom halls of residence that is currently being built as part of the ongoing £55.75 million new school complex construction at the town’s lower Staney Hill.
National Confidential Forum boss Dr Rachel Happer said Scottish islanders have a long history of attending school hostels.
“We know that many people living in Scotland’s islands spent time away from home while they attended school during the week due to distance and travel,” she said.
“We are encouraging these people to get in touch with us and tell us about their experience of being at a boarding hostel or residential school.
“We want to know what worked well and what did not work well so that we can create a record of care in Scotland and help suggest ways we can make it better for children and young people now and in future.”
For more information, visit http://www.nationalconfidentialforum.org.uk
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