A local businessman has shared his experience of growing up in the care system to mark Care Day.
It comes as Ards Hospital’s Quality and Improvement Care Centre invited young people who have achieved success since leaving the care system to celebrate their successes ahead of the centre’s 10th anniversary.
Speaking at the event on Monday, Belfast social media influencer and businessman, Jay Miller, opened up about being raised in the care system.
Known as ‘Jay the Barber’, the 43-year-old runs Jay’s Barber Club in north Belfast and went viral on TikTok after giving haircuts to the homeless in 2023.
He has previously opened up about losing his mother to addiction when he was just five-years-old.
Jay now has thousands of followers and uses his platform to inspire young people. His message to the young people he spoke to was to “never give up.”
South Eastern Trust’s Matthew Brown hosts a Q&A with Jay Millar
Following their mother’s death, Jason and his brother Wayne spent time in a children’s home and with a number of foster families.
It was while they were based in Carnview Children’s Home in Rathfern that tragedy struck his family for the second time in his young life.
Aged just 8, his brother Wayne (7) was killed as he crossed the North Road in Carrickfergus.
The north Belfast man said: “I grew up in care, going through the care system with my brother Wayne who was knocked down and killed when he was just seven. I was like a bouncy ball. I was everywhere.
“I joined the Army and learned to cut hair. Being able to make people feel good meant a lot to me.”
Jay added: “I bought my first shop in Bloomfield Avenue and now have the Academy and we are teaching 200 people a year. Teaching barbering is a life skill.”
The barber set up his training school, the Pro Barber Academy, in Rathcoole in 2022. The academy offers a three-week crash course designed to close the gap between training and becoming a full-time barber.
When asked what advice he would give to the young people in the room, he replied, “Just never give up, have the strength within yourself and think positively. Have an aim, have a vision board and you’ll be surprised at the magic that can happen.”
Ronan Fisher pictured with Jay Millar
Director of Children’s Services for the South Eastern Trust, Lyn Preece, explained how “important” it is for young people to come together for Care Day.
She said: “It is really important that we come together and celebrate the achievements of our young people and acknowledge what they do and the support that we give them. It is incredible to be here.
“Months and months of planning have gone into this celebration and despite the weather outside, it has not dampened anyone’s spirits and I am just so excited to be part of it!”
Left to right: Scarlett Kelly; Jay Millar and Chloe Bowen
Assistant Director, Leaving Care Services and Cared for Children Marie-Louise Sloan said: “This is the tenth year of Care Day and we have come together to celebrate and appreciate our children and young people with Care experience.
“We have 50 young people with us today who are receiving certificates for their wide range of achievements, we are proud of all of our children and young people and are committed to support them and their care giving network.”
She added: “We were delighted to have Jay the Barber here to talk about his experience, his key messages will be influential for our children, young people, families and carers. It has been a truly memorable day for all.”