Care leavers community

Meet & Eat is a group of care leavers who meet up once a month.

It's a chance to:

• share your views about any challenges you experience as a care leaver
• be listened to
• together take forward any actions for change

By coming to Meet & Eat you are part of the Care Leavers' Council.

In the past this group have raised important issues about things like:

• extending council tax support for care leavers
• giving care leavers priority for housing

During the year we also run fun activity days and celebration events. To get the latest news, sign up to our leaving care newsletter.

The Care Leaver Covenant is a national programme that supports care leavers to live independently.

They have a system called "connects" which is a great way to keep up to date with opportunities for:

• work
• education
• recreational offers

Sign up to connects

Do you love to sew or knit, or want to learn? Whether you are a pro or a complete beginner, it's all about learning, chatting and meeting new people (and may be even making a few friends). 

When: every Friday

Contact your PA if you'd like to join. 

Come along and learn to cook budget friendly meals, in a supportive environment.

When: one Wednesday per month

Contact your PA if you'd like to join. 

We can help support you to make sure you are registered on the electoral register.

This will enable you to participate and vote in elections. 

An advocate is someone who listens and helps a young person to have their voice heard in decisions made about them.

Young people have a right to be listened to and have their views taken seriously, but sometimes it can be difficult to say how you are feeling. We can help by arranging an advocate.

Find out more on our advocacy page. 

We will support you if you face discrimination as a care leaver.

We'll also help you to spot and challenge discrimination in work, education, and social settings.

You’ll have access to advocacy services and legal guidance, making sure that you can stand up for yourself with confidence.

Here are some useful links:

• help and support for domestic abuse
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline
• support for LGBTQ+ on the public health portal
• Samaritans - here to listen

Take a look at the community map to see what activities are going on near you. You can filter by what is of interest to you. 

You can get involved with YPBMF to hep shape care leavers outcomes and opportunities on a national level. 

There are opportunities for you to be involved in the recruitment of children’s social care staff. You could be involved by sitting on interview panels and contributing to the decision making for the staff we recruit. 

Your input into what makes great children's social care staff is very valuable to us. Joining the recruitment process will also boost your CV. 

Get involved and make a difference locally:

• visit our volunteering page
• visit the Involve website