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care leavers
‘Some people leaving care will not have friends or family members to turn to, which is something others can take for granted.’ Photograph: Alamy
‘Some people leaving care will not have friends or family members to turn to, which is something others can take for granted.’ Photograph: Alamy

The new charity aiming to help care leavers thrive as adults

This article is more than 9 years old
Sarah Milan, director at the Rees Foundation
Moving from residential or foster care to independent living can be difficult due to the loss of a support network

Moving from foster care or residential care into independent living can be very difficult. You may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities that you face and disconnected from the support you have previously relied on. People with care experience effectively lose an important part of their support network at this time of change. Some people leaving care will not have friends or family members to turn to, which is something others can take for granted.

We were aware that care leavers were being left unsupported. In its recent report Too Much, Too Young, Action for Children identified that vulnerable young people who have been in care are forced to grow up too quickly, with many living in unsafe housing where they feel lonely and scared. They move frequently and experience periods of homelessness. And continuing to deal with the lasting impact of a traumatic childhood means that many can suffer from depression and anxiety. Without the safety and stability of support networks, they can make poor decisions, and are more likely to be homeless or involved with substance misuse or crime.

The aim of the Rees Foundation is to ensure that care leavers won’t have to make that transition alone. Many existing services can only be accessed up to a certain age, but we want to help anyone who has been in care not just to survive, but to thrive as adults. We believe that everyone may need support at times, but also that everyone has something to offer. We can work to build a network of people with care experience who can support each other, creating a sense of belonging and a positive sense of identity. Having access to stable and supportive relationships is essential to reaching your full potential and achieving aspirations.

Our work is informed by an advisory group of care experienced people. We endeavour to bring the care experienced voice in at every level of activity, so that our decisions are constantly being informed by the people who will access our services. This peer-to-peer approach runs through our services. For example, our mentoring programme will be spearheaded by those with experience of being in care.

But mentoring is just the start. We’ve been developing the idea of reciprocation, which is about connecting people to support each other. If we create a cycle where people get support and then they offer to give it back to others, then people become more self-sufficient and see a lot of value in themselves.

The support that the Rees Foundation will offer can take many forms. In addition to mentoring and networking, where people can access one-to-one guidance and share experiences, we will be offering more practical support to help build confidence, life skills and self-sufficiency.

We will focus on areas like signposting to existing services and training via our Living with Strangers resource pack which features the reflections and stories of people who have experienced care. Also, we will actively be looking for opportunities for people who have been in care to gain work experience or build other life skills. Finally, although the Rees Foundation is a charity and resources are limited, we don’t think that should rule out being able to offer financial support in addition to emotional and practical help, and we are working on a financial support service.

I know from the people working at the Rees Foundation that this is the kind of help that will make a difference. It is about empowering care experienced people and giving them the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

For more information on the Rees Foundation and details of how to access its services, get involved as a volunteer, or donate, click here.

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More on this story

More on this story

  • What can be done to support young people leaving care?

  • Edward Timpson: ‘We need to think more bravely about children's services'

  • We can't allow young people leaving care to be forgotten by councils

  • Care leavers tell their stories through song and video

  • Why consultant social workers are essential to a confident profession

  • Care leavers need a strong emotional support network

  • From inadequate to good: how Cambridgeshire child protection turned things around

  • Care Leavers' Stories project maps changes to the welfare state

  • 'The last place was like a prison': care leavers' stories of children's homes

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