TWENTY-four-year-old Amelcia is one of Devon County Council's (DCC) care leavers.

She was one of the young women selected recently from hundreds to take part in Plan International UK’s ‘Girls Takeover’, which gives young women the opportunity, for one day, to take over leadership positions, whether that’s in business, politics or media.

For one day last month, Amelcia, who is a keen artist, became Chair of the prestigious South Bank Centre in London, taking over the role from internationally acclaimed photographer, entrepreneur and social activist, Misan Harriman.

'Meeting Misan Harriman has given me a new perspective on my potential' Amelcia said.

'As a kid, I internalised a lot of negativity. I’m a biracial, orphaned, working class woman with disabilities, and I’m still unlearning some of that negativity.

'Art has been honestly the most healing thing for me in my journey' she added.

Amelcia spent the day with Misan at the Southbank Centre, looking, learning, experiencing and taking from it a lot to help her professionally and personally.

Misan praised Amelcia’s photography and critiqued her writing.  

'Your understanding of light and the stories that you’re telling in your imagery speak to me really strongly,' Misan said. 

'It means a lot to have that kind of feedback from somone who’s a professional,' said Amelcia.

'It’s honestly just been amazing. Meeting him, and meeting his team and the CEO.

'He has given me a lot of advice and I’m really excited for what my future holds because of meeting him.  And I’m really proud of the work that Girl’s Takeover is doing' she added.

'We’d like to say that we’re all tremendously proud of Amelcia, for all she is, all she does, and for all she is yet to do in her successful life' a spokesperson for Devon County Council said.

► Girls Takeover is an annual event run by Plan International UK to mark #DayOfTheGirl, which takes place on 11 October every year. Girls Takeover provides opportunities on various dates throughout the year and is open to girls and young women aged 14-24. If you’d like to take part in next year’s event, head to the Plan International UK website for more details.