Themed Rising Me: Overcoming challenges, transforming and finding your identity.

Southampton City Councils support over 315 Care leavers who are young people aged 18-25 who have been in our care as children and are now young adults. Each of these young people are supported by Personal Advisors (PAs) who stay in touch, helping them with their growing confidence and independence, supporting them with everything from housing to education, work, and relationships.

The council also has over 120 young people over 21 years of age, that we stay in touch with through the ‘Extended Offer’.

The council is immensely proud of these young people and what they achieve, day in day out – managing their own tenancies, raising children, achieving at college, graduating at university, working both full or part time, and much more! They manage the day-to-day challenges of living independently, often without the support from family members that most young adults benefit from.

The council is joining in with National Care Leavers’ Month, with a range of events planned including theatre trips, celebration evenings, lighting up the Guildhall, and a council ‘Take Over Day’ to give young people who have lived in care experience of working in local government.

The national theme of Care Leaver’s Month this year is Rising Me: Overcoming challenges, transforming and finding your identity. As a city, there is so much that we can do for young people leaving care, so we are taking this opportunity to share how people can get involved by offering a work experience opportunity, providing a discount for care leavers in your business, working with the council if you’re a private landlord to offer accommodation, and many other things. If you think you can help in any way please get in touch.

Braydon, a Southampton Care Leaver said: “As a care leaver, you gain a lot of strength and independence. I’ve been well looked after by my PA, which is one of the changes you’ll notice coming in as a care leaver. It’s nothing to be scared of though. They are all fantastic.

“My PA has been super with getting me involved in football coaching. Having my PA and team behind me has helped me to push through and get into these roles, it’s really opened up doors for me”.

Councillor Amanda Barnes-Andrews, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning at Southampton City Council said: “National Care Leaver Month is a time for the council to reflect on our care leavers’ achievements. It’s also a moment to think about how together as a community we can do more to support them. Every contribution makes a difference. Whether you offer work experience, provide housing, or join us at an event, it all helps”.

Robert Henderson, Executive Director for Community Wellbeing, Children and Learning at Southampton City Council, said: “I am incredibly proud of our care leavers. Care Leavers’ month is a great opportunity to celebrate them and all that they are. Many have experienced real challenges in their lives, and have shown huge bravery and resilience, taking small and huge steps as they navigate their life journeys. Through their feedback and ideas, they are also helping us as a service, a council and a city to do better for the care leavers of today and, the care leavers of tomorrow.

“Along their life paths many have found warmth, belief and acceptance in the homes of our amazing foster carers – we would love to have more local foster carers who can help to shape the lives of our future care leavers”.

During the month, Southampton City Council will share updates and stories that recognise our care leavers as valued members of our community.

Contact us on: 18-25duty@southampton.gov.uk if you think you can help in any way.