Randy's speech highlights what real support looks like

July 2025
Images © Big Leaf Foundation
Earlier this month, Big Leaf Ambassador Randy, stood on stage at the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) annual conference in Manchester. Speaking alongside other young people from Surrey Youth Voice, he reflected on his experience of education in the UK as a care-experienced young person seeking asylum.

​Randy spoke with honesty and clarity, calling for a more tailored approach to education for young people seeking asylum in the UK: 
“From day one, you’re put into ESOL lessons rather than being given an opportunity to demonstrate the skills you already have and how you can develop them,” he said to a room full of professionals from across the UK.
Randy needed to be seen as an individual, not placed into a system that often underestimates and sidelines displaced students.

Originally from Nicaragua, Randy was forced to leave his home at 17 because of the worsening political situation in his country. After briefly staying with relatives in the United States, where he was undocumented and under pressure to work, he made the journey to the UK alone to claim asylum. He arrived in London with little certainty about what lay ahead, frightened of what would happen next, but aware that staying in Nicaragua was no longer safe.

When he arrived in Guildford, he received a message inviting him to join a music session with Big Leaf. He later learned that his social worker had shared his number with the team. From that first meeting, he found a space where he could connect with others and begin to feel part of something again. He became a regular presence at our events and activities, bringing humour, warmth and leadership to every space he joined. 

Over time, Randy began volunteering with Big Leaf, helping to organise events and supporting new arrivals. He completed our Young Leaders programme and eventually became one of our Youth Ambassadors. In this role, he has continued to speak up about the barriers that young displaced people face, not only in education but across every part of life in the UK.
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While waiting for a decision on his asylum claim, Randy was not allowed to work and was placed in education at a level that did not reflect his existing skills. He has spoken about how isolating that period was and how much it meant to be supported by organisations that saw his potential:
“[Big Leaf and Surrey Virtual School] noticed my potential and my dream of getting into higher education to become a physiotherapist… they worked together and moved heaven and earth to get me into a Sixth Form. [Both] were always present when I needed them.”
With our support, he enrolled in Sixth Form and later secured a place at university, where he is now studying physiotherapy. A dream that once felt out of reach began to take shape.

Now at university, Randy continues to use his voice to advocate for others. At the ADCS conference, he spoke alongside Ayda, Surrey’s Young Mayor, Lois, who presented findings from Surrey Youth Voice’s peer-led research project In Your Own Words, and Jawad, who shared his reflections on improving the care system from within. Delegates from across the UK heard their stories and left with new ideas for how to work with young people in more meaningful ways.
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Rachael Wardell, Head of Children’s Services in Surrey and Chair of the Conference, said afterwards:
“I lost count of the number of conference delegates who stopped me later in the week to tell me how inspired they were by your session. They found your confidence as speakers really impressive, and they were bowled over by the many different ways you and other young people in Surrey are able to influence the services here for young people. Many said they were taking away ideas to develop with young people in their own local authority area, so your reach and impact goes well beyond Surrey borders.”
Randy has also contributed to an educational film for secondary schools and helped shape Surrey’s Immigration Strategy. In every space, his message remains the same - young people should be listened to, taken seriously and recognised for who they are.
“Being listened to, taken into account and recognised feels incredibly rewarding, especially during difficult times when there is a lot of uncertainty for us.”
His journey is a reminder of what is possible when displaced young people are offered real support and the freedom to shape their own path. At Big Leaf, we are proud to stand beside Randy and so many others as they continue to lead, speak and follow their dreams.

with thanks to

Huge thanks to Surrey Youth Voice for the invitation to speak at the ADCS conference and for creating space for young people to be heard.