Week One at the The Madlug™ Pop Up Experience

The Madlug™ Pop Up Experience: Two Weeks of Impact, Connection & Community (10–21 November)

For two weeks in November, to celebrate national care leavers month, 10 Wellington Place became much more than a pop-up shop. It became a space for learning, listening, storytelling, creativity, and connection, all centred around one message: children and young people in care are incredible.

From the moment the doors opened on 10th November to the final session on the 21st, the Madlug™ Pop Up Experience brought together businesses, community organisations, social workers, personal advisors, young people, and members of the public. Our mission was to explore how dignity can be restored and strengthened for care-experienced young people.

Here’s a look back at everything that unfolded in week one. 

Week One: 

📅 Monday: A Powerful Grand Opening & Live Recording of the Relational Social Work Podcast

Powerful speeches from Leeds Lord Mayor Dan Cohen and Paul Speight from Lloyds Banking Group kicked off the event. Their involvement underlined the significance of the space and its purpose.

That evening, the space hosted a live recording of The Relational Social Work Podcast, featuring Dave Linton (Madlug™), Phoebe White (National Youth Advocacy Service), Leigh (National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum), Danny (Lifelong Family Links), Beth Vecchione (Care to Dance) and Luke Rodgers (The Care Leaders). The panel discussed themes of care, community, and the systems that shape young people’s experiences, offering valuable insights and perspectives for a live audience.

📅 Tuesday: Lloyds Banking Group Executive Committee Visit

In the afternoon, the Consumer Relationship Executive Committee from Lloyds Banking Group stepped into the space.  Their purpose was to meet young people, hear stories, and understand the real-life impact of the opportunity that the bank provides for care experienced people.

In our session on Independence vs Interdependence, Mark from National House Project and Asa from IKEA explored how no one thrives entirely alone. We discussed the importance of building connections, community, and a sense of belonging for young people leaving care. The session also highlighted the range of support available for children and young people on the “cliff edge” of leaving care, from practical services to mentoring and community networks, emphasising that true independence comes from being supported, not isolated.

📅 Wednesday: The Madlugger Meet-Up

On Wednesday morning, we hosted a session called "Unpacking Your Social Enterprise Idea: Social Enterprise 101 with Dave Linton”. During this time, we were excited to meet Bhav, founder of Storyteller. Storyteller Travel is a social‑enterprise travel accessories brand that helps travellers capture memories with products like personalised flags and the FlagMate. Beyond keepsakes, 10% of every purchase supports global education projects. With ethical, eco-conscious practices, Storyteller Travel lets travellers make a positive impact while celebrating their journeys.

In the afternoon, Madluggers gathered for an afternoon of connection and shared purpose. At the first-ever Madlugger Meet-Up, supporters and Madug came together to meet, share stories, and celebrate community. The event was a relaxed space for sharing experiences, celebrating community, and learning more about the impact of the organisation This is a reminder that Madlug is powered by community, not just product.

📅 Thursday: Lunch & Learn With Leeds Business Anchors & Child Friendly Leeds

On Thursday morning, the Pop-Up Space welcomed Adoption UK, The Fostering Network, and local foster carers and adoptive parents for a relaxed networking session. Attendees enjoyed coffee, conversation, and the chance to connect, sharing experiences and exploring opportunities to support one another.

In the afternoon, at the Care Experienced Futures: Leeds Employer Workshop, attendees explored how partnerships across the city are supporting care-experienced young people. The sessions showcased initiatives ranging from Trauma-Informed Practice to cross-sector work experience opportunities, highlighting the collective ambition to create meaningful opportunities for young people on the “cliff edge” of leaving care. The event underlined how collaboration, community, and practical support can make a real difference for care-experienced young people, inspiring attendees to continue driving positive change.

📅 Friday: Custody Conversations

The week ended with a powerful discussion on the criminal justice system and its impact on care-experienced people. Rosie Blackett, Lee Weston and Jayne Tanti reflected on systemic barriers, the importance of “through the gate” support, and how combining lived and professional experience can create meaningful change. The session highlighted the need for trauma-informed understanding, and collective responsibility to build supportive, transformational services for care-experienced communities.

A Space That Became a Movement

Across both weeks, one theme rang true: when people come together with purpose, change becomes possible.

Over the course of first week, we experienced first hand:

• Conversations that challenged assumptions and practice
• Young people discovering new confidence and skills
• Employers committing to doing more
• Community partners forming new relationships
• Creativity, hope and courage

These two weeks were a celebration of community, a platform for unheard voices and a gentle but powerful reminder that dignity is something every young person deserves.