Supporting our young adults

Young people leaving care have a new place for support to turn to with the launch of Bury Care Leavers Hub.

It’s National Care Leavers Week (28 October – 3 November) and in Bury we recognise care leavers (care experienced young persons aged 16-24) as a protected characteristic the same as we do with the nine protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010.

As Corporate Parents, we all have a responsibility to make sure our vulnerable young people are supported as they move into adulthood and they have the best life chances.

When considering our council procedures and service provision we give consideration to how these impact care experienced children and care leavers.

We work to support our young people to be successful, part of our community, to thrive and know there is someone there when they need our help.

Our cared for young people have experienced many challenges and often trauma in their childhood and adolescent years and have been supported by Children’s Social Care.

Opening our new hub

On Monday 28th October, Bury Council launched our brand new Care Leavers Hub at 6 Knowsley Place which will provide a range of services including education and life skills.

The Hub has been newly decorated (young people have chosen the colour scheme) and there is a kitchen, showers, a place to chill and space to access services and support. We have food parcels and other essentials available if needed.

The space also hosts education, health, emotional wellbeing support and groups like our Care Leavers Forum.

The Hub is staffed Monday to Friday by our Personal Advisors who know our young people and offer support and someone to talk to. They are also on call at weekends providing any support that might be needed in emergencies.

Councillor Lucy Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:

“Growing up can be a difficult time in the best of circumstances but for our care experienced children, it can be even harder.

“Our Care Leavers Hub is an important part of the support we provide as our care experienced young people become young adults. The difficulties they face growing up with education, employment, homelessness, mental health and wellbeing are challenges that they need support.

“The council is supporting around 276 care leavers at this time and it’s important that their voice is heard. We have worked with them to design the hub around their needs.

“We all have a responsibility to make sure our vulnerable young people are supported as they move into adulthood and they have the best life chances.”

Care leavers week

The opening of the hub is just one of a number of activities for our care-experienced young people during the week.

On Tuesday 29th October, care experienced young people spoke to council staff about the different careers people can have with the authority.

On Wednesday 30 Oct we focused on their health with a morning of health activities thanks to Bury Leisure and Early Break with a session about alcohol and substance misuse.

On Thursday we have a Spooky Halloween Day running at the Hub, with pumpkin carving and ghoulish games. We have Kooth, the mental health and wellbeing provider coming to support with living independently skills and mental health. Bury Catering are also offering a cooking on a budget session, a key skill in difficult financial times.

And we round off the week with a celebratory lunch for all our care leavers and a trip out in the afternoon on Friday 1 November.