Thousands of children in the UK leave care on their 18th birthday and cannot rely on their former carers in the same way other young people are able to. Recent evidence shows that many young care leavers are not in education, employment or training, many go on to become homeless and care leavers are far more likely to go to prison compared to young people who have not been in care.
Shine believes every young person deserves to be kept safe, to be nurtured by people who see their potential and to be supported to see a brighter future that includes their interests, strengths, and aspirations. Young people should be challenged to move to a place of strength and responsibility from which they can contribute to society.
A year ago, 'T' aged 20, moved in to his own tenancy. T had been homeless for the previous 18 months. They had a very limited support network and challenges around mental health.
Homelessness services already working with T new that they would not be able to support them for much longer. There would be a ‘cliff edge’ and this was very worrying for the services working with them. T’s support would fall away at a time they needed it most.
This worry coincided with a new and ambitious service launched by SJMT – SHINE. T was invited to work with a SHINE Supporter. Through outreach and relationship focused work their Supporter was able to get alongside them and navigate early challenges together.
T is now on a path that includes his hobbies and interests as well as responsibilities and challenges. He is looking for work he is passionate about and sees the difference he can make.
T said;
‘When I found Shine I was about to begin the great adventure of moving into my first flat, through their support I've been able to build and develop myself to live happily independently’
Shine is improving outcomes through personalised and intensive support, working with young people to identify strengths and interests as well as areas that they need to develop so that they can thrive and contribute to the community they are living, learning or working in.
Over the next year Shine will continue taking steps forward to support more young people and aim to strengthen its foundations in how support is delivered.
Read the full impact report covering the first year and our aspirations for the next year by clicking here.
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