Care leavers’ transitions to independence

’Cause basically we was left... like if that charity didn’t exist, I would have little to no contact with any support after moving. ’cause like foster care: your social workers are on your back, like, “How you doing in school; how you doing like friends-wise; how you doing with this, that, and the other?” On your back constantly, and they’re like, “what do you need, what do you need, what do you need?”

And then, as soon as you turn 18, that goes away like... like in seconds; whereas this charity make sure that you’re OK basically, and it knows that you’re living on your own and it gets you out the house and gives you a routine and gives you opportunities, like whatever opportunity comes up. Like this research thing: I’ve heard of it because of... from someone that goes to these cafes.

So, it’s like that. So basically just... it’s just really good basically, I can’t... I don’t know how to explain it. But anything you need, they’ll do it for you like a normal child, as parents: anything they need, the parents will be there, kind of thing.

My PA was very, very helpful with that. So, I remember literally like I was at work and I just like finished my shift, and this horrible message, so I was like: ‘I can’t live here anymore.’ So, I rang my PA, she came and picked me up, we went and got some stuff from my house and she drove me up to London. And like with that whole process she was really helpful, because they were really, really like spiteful about it, so she actually had to go to the house and get all my stuff for me ’cause they refused to let me in. So, I’m very fortunate that I got a lot of support from my PA during that time. I think like... ’cause leading up to it as well I was really struggling with my mental health, so my PA was kind of like on my radar anyway, this is when the crisis team were on my back a bit. And then that happened, so she... like, I don’t know what I would have done if she wasn’t there basically; she was very helpful in that way.

Even when I’ve moved, they’ve helped me move. They’ve like got their car and helped me move, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to. Or they do put on events, like wellbeing events, so like you can go for a day out and they just make random events. Like the other week I went to a farm and fed some animals, it’s better than sitting at home and doing nothing, and it’s like, it kinda improves your wellbeing, going out, so that’s what I do. And also they put on meetings, and stuff like that, like an advisory board, and a forum, and then you do get a voucher for attending as well. And I like to take part in those things, and I get to see people I used to live with, and familiar faces. Also they support with like laptops, and like recently they bought me this laptop. And years ago they bought me a bike when I started to work. They can support in many areas, even like making up appointments and things, they can help me out with, and just random things.

So, like, for example there’s someone at my uni who checks up on me quite a lot, if I need money, they’ll give me money, but if I need any support with like trips or anything like that, they’re very good in that way. Our uni... you can work for the uni basically like as a student ambassador, and I find I get so much work through... if I apply for something I will most likely get it, compared to like my boyfriend for example who never gets booked for anything, so I think it’s like...

[chuckles]

Yeah, I know it’s kind of peak. Honestly, it’s like sometimes I have to remind myself, it’s like: ‘yeah, I have money, but you have parents,’ so it kind of balances out. But yeah, I think I’m very lucky in that way that my uni has been really, really good, actually. And even like with what happened with my knee, they were very understanding. My tutors obviously understand that I’m a care leaver, so if I need any support, they’re amazing; I’ve been so fortunate with it, honestly, I’m so good for it.

So, my first year was dreadful – my last year also dreadful – but I ended up moving back to my hometown as I turned 18, back to my local authority, had some support from my leaving care team transitioning from 17 to 18 they managed to help me into a property. So, I had a flat in [Town] and they helped me decorate, and stuff like that. They helped me get out of my [Grandmother’s], so that I would have the property. And now, to where I am now, so thankfully I did move back to my hometown because I received more support.

So, from 16 to 18, I had a social worker and a PA, a personal advisor, and then from 18 plus up to the age of, well, when I finished my degree, 22, I had a personal advisor who was helping me through the stages. So, helping me budget, prioritise costs, where I spend my money, and help me if I was looking for another job, I could pull out a CV, help me do all those bits and bobs. So, my transition into the independent side of things was I had a lot of support around me, which was great.

’Cause basically we was left... like if that charity didn’t exist, I would have little to no contact with any support after moving. ’cause like foster care: your social workers are on your back, like, “How you doing in school; how you doing like friends-wise; how you doing with this, that, and the other?” on your back constantly, and they’re like, “what do you need, what do you need, what do you need?” and then as soon as you turn 18, that goes away like... like in seconds; whereas this charity make sure that you’re OK basically, and it knows that you’re living on your own and it gets you out the house and gives you a routine and gives you opportunities like whatever opportunity comes up. Like this research thing: I’ve heard of it because of... from someone that goes to these cafes.

So, it’s like that. So basically just... it’s just really good basically, I can’t... I don’t know how to explain it. But anything you need, they’ll do it for you like a normal child, as parents: anything they need, the parents will be there, kind of thing.