Eight Weeks: Looking Back, Moving Forwards, Defying the Odds

by Baroness Lola Young

Lola Young has been an actress, an academic, an activist and a crossbench peer. But from the age of eight weeks to eighteen years, she was moved between countless foster care placements and children's homes. It would take many decades before she was able to make sense of her childhood.

In her poignant and inspiring memoir, she pieces together her own remarkable life story, using fragments of memory, her care records, and her imagination where parts of her story are missing. As she revisits her childhood in north London, she also provides glimpses into her life as a peer, activist, and campaigner - and tells the story of her attempts to reconnect with her roots in later adulthood.


Baroness Young's story is a vital part of contemporary Black British history, but is also a moving account of being a child in care, a black child in a white family, and the sense of disconnection that comes from living between cultures.

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2024

Reviews

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into the British foster care system of the 1950s and 60s ... Lola Young obviously went on to achieve great things, despite her inauspicious start in life. Her experiences of racism were shocking too ... I would hope that people are much more enlightened in the 21st century, but perhaps this is wishful thinking from my privileged position?

I think she did love her elderly white foster mother, Daisy, and there was never any clear explanation as to why her birth parents effectively 'dumped' her, but I hope the author found some sense of closure or peace by sharing her experiences in this book.

[Thea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book.

[Michael Moseley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. Lola Young is 7 years my senior, we shared an upbringing and education in Islington and Camdem. In terms of place experience we shared so much, but in terms of family experience we could not be further apart. I am a white male brought up by two loving parents, but somethings we did share. The failure of the education system for one and lack of childhood self worth for another, which gave me a connection. How the world has changed from the London of the 1960s and 70s. The barbaric impact of a care system that did not seem the care. The ingrained racism that was just part of life then. I have not idea the impact of being given up by your parents must have but I felt some of the pain in reading about Lola`s journey. I whole heartily recommend this read.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a powerful memoir written about Young's experience as a Black woman growing up in foster care in the 60s and 70s in a post-industrial, diversifying Britain. A story about connecting with family, racism, depression, ambition, motivation, and hope despite difficult circumstances.

Very informative as the reader is brought along on the author's journey as she reads through the professional notes from her time in care. Parallel insight from her position in the House of Lords is also fascinating.

[Jonny Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful book, hugely important for our times. It is both tender and gritty. Young's own story is told compellingly, alongside a narrative that challenges oppression, encourages learning and amplifies the voices of care leavers.

It is definitely worth reading.