Uberheroes: Who Cares?

VOYPIC is a children’s charity that champions rights and improves the lives of
children and young people in care. We strive to make a real difference in the day
to day lives of young people by listening and learning from what children and
young people tell us about their experience of care and working with them to
push for change in the care system.
We run lots of groups and fun activities. We think the best way to make life better
for children and young people in care is to learn from the experts – young people!
We have trained staff who are on hand to help young people who are having
problems in care. We believe they have a right to speak out and be heard. So if
they’re unhappy or worried about decisions being made about their life, we’ll
support them to have their say.
We also offer personal help or coaching to young people and additional support if
they have to make difficult decisions.
Hope 4 Life NI is committed to working with schools on programmes that will
positively help our children and young people to live a happy and hopeful life.
Remember to look on our back pages for the additional support services as there
are many organisations able to offer you the help you may need.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this, our Ninth issue.
You can do this by visiting us at .
www.uberheroes.co.uk
This comic is not intended as a substitute for medical advice of physicians. The reader should
regularly consult their GP in matters relating to his/her health and particularly with respect to
any symptoms that may require clinical diagnosis or medical attention.
Cover & Illustration by Reese Hannigan Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Pencils by Nacho Tenorio, Inks by Sergio Mora , of Thirdguy Studio Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Comic Colouring by Sonia Moruno Martinez Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Comic writing and Editing by Danny McLaughlin & Dee Nixon Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Copyright © 2017 by Uberheroes® owner Dee Nixon
All rights reserved. This comic or any portion thereof
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a comic review.
Printed in Northern Ireland. First Printing, June 2017
Hope 4 Life NI
North City Business Centre
Units 1,2 & 5
2 Duncairn Gardens
Belfast BT15 2GG
www.Uberheroes.co.uk

Uberheroes HQ...
but you
have grown
up to be an
extraordinary
woman...
She was
a lonely young
timid girl...
…who now
has a Family who
loves her and
supports her!
Elsewhere...
So glad
school is over!
such a boring
day...
Hey, mum...
What’s going
on?
Jack,
they’re taking
us away!!
I Can’t wait to
get home!! I Can’t
wait to play my new
game… can’t believe
I’m stuck on
Level 5…
They’re
doing
what?

Not long after…
they’re
doing
what?
What are
you doing
here??
just
leave us
alone!
Hello!
You must
be Gabbie...
You
better get
here now,
GABBie!
Don’t
Worry!
We are here
to look after you
and make sure you
will have a stable
homelife…
Why
are you
smiling?
You are
ruining our lives!
We’re not going
anywhere!!
Unfortunately,
we must go! take your
belonging in the
black bags and get
into the car..
Are you
saying my
stuff is
rubbish?
Gabbie, If
you all don’t
get into the cars
the police will
be involved!

Where are
you taking me? What
about Gabbie, and
my little sister?
And what about
mum?
The Only
thing I can tell
you is that we are
taking you to a
foster family to
stay with...
Foster
Family?
Does that
mean I’ll never
see my family
aga-
At the new foster family home…
Hey,
Buddy...
You’ll be safe
and happy here for
the meantime, then
we can sort out
whats been going
on at home!
I remember that day so well,
with all the emotions and things
happening, the new foster home
I remember that bath…
…and with the usual chaos for the
bathroom at home and all the
tiring events, it was nice to relax
in the nice warm bath for a while.
But I couldn’t help think
of my family and if I’d
ever see them again...

Where
are you
taking Jack
and my
sister?
I won’t be
able to tell you
too much, but your
Brother and sister
are being taken to
Foster homes!
I think you
know why! Your
mum hasn’t been
looking after you
and your brother
and sister as best
she can. And that
will be investigated
properly, but I think
I can assure you you
will see them all
again…
When?
Foster
homes??
What?
Why? Will I ever
see them again?
And mum? What
about her…
That I don’t
know… here
we are!
My
grandparents
home? I thought
I was going to
foster care
too??
Unfortunately
we couldn’t find
anyone who would take
you in to foster care so
the next option was
Kinship care!
wouldn’t
you prefer to
stay with your
Grandparents?
Aw come
on in, Gabbie and get
something to eat. You
must be starving! We
can talk about all
this later…
That was the worst day of my life…
I will never forget it! And I was
confused at why we were all
separated. I Even questioned why
I wasn’t taken into fostercare.
But at this moment I remembered
all the times at home where mum
struggled to make much for dinner
and I would give mine to my brother
and sister and would starve…
but it was good to be at my
grandparents home stuffing my
face as long as I knew my brother
and sister were safe and sound…

At least
they are safe
now and know
the others are
safe too.
I know how
you’re feeling
right now, guys!
Don’t worry,
I’ll be watching
over you
I know you see
yourself in them,
but we have to let the
authorities do their
Job! I’m sure they are
fine right now…
I know,
Veritas, I
know!
Before I
had you guys
behind me, it was
hard, but then
you found me.
I’m not
so worried about
them now, it’s their
future I’m worried
about.

Here we are!
There’s a “LAC”
meeting on that I
think you should
go to.
What’s a LACK
meeting? I don’t
Lack anything
other than my
family…
Looked
after child
meeting… where the
child in care has a
meeting with all their
carers and the
authorites.
Oh L, A, C…
not the best
acronym…
sounds like
someone is
Lacking
something…
Hello?
Gabbie?
I missed
you, Gabbie – I
thought I’d never
see you again!
It was so good to see Jack! It
felt so long since Id seen him.
Me too.
So good to see
you, is everything
okay?
I’m okay
I guess…
I was so alone that it was the
best feeling to see Gabbie. I didn’t
want it to be so long again…

Gabbie,
What’s up with you?
You’ve been moping
around now for
a while!!
Well, I
didn’t want to tell
anyone, but since
you’re my best friend
I suppose I should
talk about it!
Social
Services came
and took us
away…
What?
Really?
Yeah...
we’ve
been split up
and we are all
now in care…
I’m so
glad to be
able to talk
to y-
I’m
sorry…
…I can’t be
friends with
you!
I never expected for my own best
friend to turn her back on me. word
got out fast that I was now in care.
everyone was talking about it!
I’ve never felt
so alone…

What’s going
on down
there?
Jack the wee
loner is being
weird – I think
he’s crying.
Why is
he being a
Freak?
Everything
okay, Jack?
Enough
of that!
Just Leave
me alone.
It all got too much for me. I was so
afraid and stressed. I remember one
day shortly after being taken into
care that I broke down in school. I
sat under a desk and cried for hours
before anyone could calm me down.
I had no friends, I kept to
myself so I didn’t have to let
anyone see how worried I
was or to have to admit to
anyone that I was in care.
It was all about
self-preservation,
protecting myself.

I used to love school, especially
art. But over the next few
months, everything changed, I
couldn’t motivate myself and I
started to hate school...
I even stopped drawing, even
though I used to love it. I
became so anxious about
everything. I just wanted
things to go back to normal.
Are you
okay,
Gabbie?
Leave me
alone!!
Hey,
weirdo!
What you
listening
to?
I said,
leave me
alone!!
Leave me
alone! I just
wanna be by
myself…

What’s this?
Metal music? I always
knew you were a weirdo
but I didn’t think you
listened to freak
music!
Gimme
them back!
And so
what if I
like Metal
music?
Is that
what happens?
You become a
freak…
...when
you’re taken
into care?
Haha
We are doing
well with these
kids…
Yes, it’s
easy, they’re
already so
vulnerable.
Let’s
step it up!
People judge
them just because
they’re in care. It’s so
easy to make them
feel abandoned
Ye ah,
lets...

Things got got worse
over the next few
months. I started to
hang around with the
wrong people…
I was feeling anxious
and vulnerable. If
anyone mentioned my
past I would fly off the
handle. I was getting
into a lot of fights.
I began to lose
interest in school and
the teacher said…
You’ll not
pass if you keep
going down this
route, Gabbie!
but I was determined
to prove my teachers
wrong. So I said...
Just
Watch
me!
I was so confused
and hurt. Escaping into
video games helped
me feel normal.
When I wasn’t playing
games I got very angry.
Listening to Metal music
helped me get rid of
my anger.
I was keeping myself to
myself. I cared for no
one except my family, and
I rarely saw them

A lot of things changed
when I started at
secondary school.
…Gabbie!!
Ga…
Ga…
Jack!!
So good to see
you!! Are you
okay?
I’m okay
I suppose, I’ve
been a bit down and
lonely, but it’s okay
I don’t mind it.
Well, we’re
at the same school
now so don’t worry.
everything is gonna
get better…

A few months later…
Stop it
or Im Gonna kick
the crap out of
you at breaktime!
Try
it!
Break it up.
You two are going
to the Principal’s
office right now!
It’s
so unfair! The
Principal threatened
to suspend me, even
though I didn’t
start it!
And the
other guy is
gonna be on my
case now too!
leave
it to me,
Jack!!

A little while later…
You!!
You’re the one
who beat up my
brother…
The little
freak deserved
it!! what are you
gonna do about
it??
I’m
gonna
do...
...THIS!

Both of
your behaviours
have recently changed!
You’ve both been acting
angrily, and people
have been physically
injured.
…I think
It’s time to bring
in the authorities
and your carers
for a proper
discussion…
An official meeting
was held...
I
understand
that transitioning
into Foster care has been
hard for both of you…
but your unacceptable
behaviour has led
you to us…
We didn’t
change… it’s how
people behaved
towards us...
that’s whats
changed…
…But why
have things
gone so badly
wrong?
Yeah!
As soon as
people knew we
were in care,
they treated us
differently…
You say I changed, but everyone
else changed the way they
treated me, I DIDN’T CHANGE! I
just want to be left alone!
We never asked for this! I’m no different, But
everyone treats us differently, I can feel them
judging us! We can’t rely on anyone, so we have
to help ourselves, no one else is helping us!

You think
theres no one
out there
Fighting for
you?
We’re
needed!!
Dominie,
Let’s Go!
No, not
really!
You might
not see it. You
may not want
to even
consider it…
but I
want you to
trust me when
I say…
THERE are
people around
fighting for
you!!
Oh no!
Uberheroes??

We know why
you’re here… but
its too late.! The
kids are ours
now!!
There are
more people
fighting for you
than you think…
I hate doing
this…taking kids
away from their
parents…
But usually
it’s best for them.
Until we know
they’re safe.
The
truth is… we’re
not the only ones
looking out for
them! you can’t
defeat everyone!
We will
wor ry about
them when we
are finished
with you!!
Bring
it on!!
I know
you think
you’re all
alone...
But there
are more people
concerned for you
and wanting the best
for your future
than you know.

There he
is… he looks so
vulnerable! I
hope we can do
everything to
help
there are
More people
on your side than
you know; fighting for
you, hoping for you
to do well!
Hey,
buddy!
Remember
your own past
fears!
some of
those people put
themselves
through hell for
your wellbeing!
Nooo…
help… I don’t
want to be alone…
I just want my
family…
I see
the Truth…
The
Truth is…
Remember,
Veritas… we’re
your family now!!

I felt alone…
I felt judged…
but the truth is…
I have people
who love me!!
The truth is…
yes the system
isn’t perfect.
Sometimes you
will be fostered
sometimes put
into Kinship care.
You might feel
alone…
and you
might feel like
people judge
you but…
We’re not
alone…
And we’re
pretty lucky
we have each
other…
Sometimes you
feel unloved, judged
and attacked. It’s hard to
trust, to see there are
people working to
keep us safe.
It’s hard
to understand why
some people can’t
understand us and what
we’re going through. But I
just don’t want to live like
this anymore. I’ve had
too much fear and
anxiety.
I’ve had
enough of people
judging me. I don’t
want this to ruin my
life. But maybe I need
to learn how to let
people in!
Good.
You’re beginning
to understand
you’re not
alone.
You don’t
need to be afraid of the
future. Trust the people
who are trying to help you.
The system could be better,
you can help us with that.
Talking always helps.
Relicta!!!
I hate
this!
Ye s,
time to
leave!!
Yeahh…

Some years Later...
It was
tough for a while.
We both struggled with
school, AND LEFT WITH
NO QUALIFICATIONS BUT
pEOPLE SUPPORTED
US!
It’s hard
to see THROUGH
THE pain and fear,
that there ARE
PEOPLE supportING
US…
talking
ALWAYS helps.
i FIND listening to
some metal music
helps too!
haha
i’M GLAD
YOU NOW REALISE
THAT THERE ARE
PEOPLE OUT THERE
SUPPORTING
YOU!
THOSE pEOPLE
WHO LOVED AND
CARED FOR
US
I’ve started
drawing again.
That’s my metal
music haha.
And NOW
WE GET to see our
SISTER more too.
Everything is
getting better...
And i
AM IN MY FINAL
YEAR OF uNI TO
BECOME A SOCIAL
WORKER.
it’s BEEN
good to talk to
someone who’s been
through thIS TOO.
and come out THE
OTHER SIDE
with a healthy
outlook!
But lets go,
Jack… yOU HAVE
AN APPLICATION
TO FINISH
OFF!
Yeah,
Great!
yEAH
AND i’M CURRENTLY
LOOKING FOR FULL
TIME WORK!
Byeee!
ThankS for
the CHAT!
…there
are always people
out there who WILL
love you and
support you!
bye guys,
good luck in
the future… and
remember the
truth IS…
...The End.

Further information
Like the characters in the comic you may feel that these stories have connected with you, or
that the content of the stories has given you a lot to think about!
You might want to know more about what help is available, or maybe you’re concerned
about a friend and want to know what practical help you can offer. Alternatively you might
want to speak to your parents or guardians but you’re nervous about how they might react.
The Uberheroes comic is a great stepping-stone to start these conversations with an adult
you trust about your fears, worries or concerns.
Whatever the situation, listed below are some of the many resources available in
Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK :-
Support Services
Hope 4 Life NI – www.hope4lifeni.org.uk
Mental Health & Wellbeing programmes for Children, Young People and Adults
“Ask an Uberhero a Question” via our website - www.uberheroes.co.uk
“Ask an Uberhero a question” is our online support service for you to
connect with one of our team if you are worried or concerned about
anything; this is a great way to ask our heroes for their advice and support.
Helpline Numbers
VOYPIC
Central Office,
9-11 Botanic Avenue
Belfast, BT71JG
Tel: 028 9024 4888
Email: info@voypic.org
www.voypic.org
PIPS
For 1-2-1 Counselling Call 028 9080 5850
Helpline number call 0800 088 6042
Email: info@pipscharity.com
Call in for a chat – 281 Antrim Road,
Belfast, BT15 2HE
Childline
For 1-2-1 Counselling Call: 0800 1111
For info and advice go to:
www.childline.org.uk
Samaritans
Samaritans helpline Call: 0845 790 9090
Helpline Email: jo@samaritans.org
NSPCC
24 hour Child Protection Helpline Call:
0808 800 5000
Lifeline
Free Phone Lifeline: Call 0808 808 8000
Helpline Email: www.lifelinehelplineinfo.com
Talking to your friends, members of your family and teachers can help you start to better understand
what you’re going through; you may be surprised to find that others have had similar experiences and
are willing to share their experiences with you. Your friends or family may know of someone who they
trust, who would be willing to listen and offer you safe advice, having external support will help you to
see you’re not alone in thinking or feeling the way you do, it will also help rebuild your confidence,
self-belief and self-worth, which is the first step in healing and recovery.
Come follow us on our social media sites too...
UberheroesNI
www.uberheroes.co.uk

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