Fifty-One Moves

Ben Ashcroft

Jun 2013 · Waterside Press

About this ebook

It is shocking that although just one per cent of children are taken into care by local authori­ties, almost 30 per cent of prisoners have been in care. Ben Ashcroft’s heart-rending account of abandonment, loneliness and rejection in family life, the care system and beyond begins at age nine and ends with him turning his life around after being moved from pillar to post, crime, drugs, ‘going missing’ and custody. Ten years on, he works to motivate young people from similar backgrounds to believe that they can do the same; that whatever life throws at them they should “Never, ever, give up”. It is also a warning to parents, professionals and carers alike: to listen to what young people have to say, to make time for and reassure them and to recog­nise the often small but important things that make a difference in the bewildering world of growing-up.

‘Challenges the core concepts we have as members of society, or indeed as child care professionals’: Dr Peter McParlin (from the Foreword).
The book was described as inspirational, powerful, emotional, compelling and required reading for anyone interested in the care system when released on Kindle, e.g.
‘An inspiring and moving account of the trauma and distress caused to a young boy by his family and our care system’: Sarah
‘A very raw book…but this only adds to the sense of passion and honesty with which it is written’: Fiona Sorsby, Bingley, West Yorkshire.
‘This motivational read is such a hard hitting tale…it’s heartfelt and gives such a clear first-hand account of life living in a care home…A brilliant worthwhile read about a man who truly turned his life around’: Stacey Spencer.

Ratings and reviews

I had the pleasure of meeting Ben in person we were both in hospital and he's the perfect bloke he got along with people who showed him respect and the people who annoyed him he would just go to his room and relax with the TV on until he had calmed down a genuinely decent bloke but it's not a good idea to make him mad then cause trouble with another patient or staff member because that's when the bad Ben came out and it was very difficult to even try and move him even just a milliliter he was like an untamed and very very angry bull but when he was calm he was the most genuine honest helpful person you could ever meet I'll always respect him for that keep safe Ben mate

About the author

Since ‘sorting out his life’, Ben Ashcroft has had a variety of mainly unskilled jobs before setting out to realise his lifetime ambition to become a published author. Someone who also enjoys creativity, he is also in demand on the conference circuit where he has worked with audiences both large and small.