Coventry City Council has secured grant funding to expand its Lifelong Links programme – and provide support to young people as they leave care.
The funding has been made through the government’s Family Finding and Befriending programme.
Lifelong Links is an innovative approach for children and young people in the care system aimed at establishing strong and long-lasting relationships between the young people and those who matter most to them.
Children and young people who have been in care, often lose touch with people who have been important to them, such as teachers, former foster carers and extended family members.
Lifelong Links gives them the opportunity to re-connect and many have found people who they have been able to rebuild and repair relationships with and that contact can help as they take the step from being in care to the next stage of their lives.
Cllr Patricia Seaman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“Lifelong Links makes it possible for the children and young people we work with to achieve positive, life changing experiences.
“The whole process has the child and young person’s voice central to delivering the work from start to finish and ensures that a child in care - or a young person who is leaving or has left care - has a positive support network around them to help them during their time in care and in adulthood.
“It is so important for children and young people to have a network of people who can help and support them with the everyday practical things such as moving home, living on their own, budgeting, decorating and someone who can be a listening ear for when big decisions need to be made or things aren’t going to plan.
“Re-connecting with people who have been important in their lives also brings emotional wellbeing benefits for young people. They understand more about their history and identity and have a sense of belonging and connection to people who love and care for them, which is essential for all young people as they start their journey into adulthood.”
A report that showed care leavers’ views on their wellbeing revealed that:
- 6% of care leavers report having no one at all providing emotional support
- nearly 10% of young people only had support from their leaving care worker
- 22% of care leavers feel lonely always or often, compared to 10% of the general population
At an event to celebrate the funding at the Council House on 18 March, Coventry children and young people will be sharing their positive experiences to encourage others to use the service and make a difference to their lives.
If you are a Coventry care experienced young adult, aged up to 25, and would like to have an informal chat with the Lifelong Links service to see how it could help you, then please contact lifelonglinks@coventry.gov.uk