Closing the Gap - Empower Care Leavers in London

Dear Friend, 

Needless to repeat that this Cost-of Living crisis is having a solid grip on the country. Prices for food, fuel, gas, and electricity are sky-rocketing, whilst people's income from employment or benefits cannot keep up. 

Over the past few months, we’ve heard it all: 

“My young person missed an important job interview today because their electricity had gone off and they didn’t have enough money to top it up,” says Rachel, a Careers Manager at Drive Forward Foundation. 

Another young person reached out to our Head of Mentoring, saying that they’re in a crisis and don’t have enough money to buy food for themselves.“It’s been really tough this year... and it’s also hard on our mentors as they see how the young people they work with are affected by what’s going on. At the same time, mentors have been pivotal in supporting young people emotionally as well as professionally; helping them with career progression or negotiating with manager.” 

Justin, who has been working with young people for over 15 years has recently spoken out about the issue as part of Drive forward’s National Care Leavers Week 2022 campaign. You can find his video on Youtube. 

He tells us, “I’ve had many desperate young people coming to me asking for financial support... My first call is always to speak to their social or key worker and see if there’s anything the council can do for them. Often, we can come to an arrangement and we’re able to help the young person get out of a very difficult situation, at least temporarily. Then the real work begins, helping them find a sustainable job that allows them to pay off their debt and cover their bills, buy food and then maybe the pair of trainers they want too.” 

Nicholl has been with our charity for over 4 years and is looking after 40-50 young people at any one time, “In a time where all of us are having to cut costs and are struggling in one way or another, it’s easy to forget that there are still many people out there who are having to fight so much more. It’s heart-breaking really and I often struggle for words when trying to explain to young people that there’s only so much we can do. Our core work is about getting them into long-term employment, we also offer counselling and our partners are able to provide ring-fenced opportunities. It’s always been clear that Closing the Gap is meant as a last resort helping young people to transition off benefits. But now, there seems to be a constant state of emergency with most of the young people I work with.” 

Mike, 23

Mike has been working with Drive Forward for over a year. He’s done intensive work with his Careers Specialist to identify his strengths and work on his employability skills. After a few months and a couple of interview prep sessions, Mike found his first job, a brilliant opportunity with the Civil Service. For a whole year, Mike was able to hone his skills, make new connections, and learn as much as he could in order to never be reliant on benefits again. 

Usually, about 80% of young people going into the civil Service are offered fulltime roles after 12 months. The recent economic and political turmoil, however, resulted in less positions being open for grabs, and Mike found himself unemployed yet again. “I had gotten used to earning a regular income and was able to pay off a lot of debt over the past year,” says Mike. “I just got a job in a warehouse. I needed the money and I don’t care where it’s coming from, for now.” What Mike didn't know, is that he wouldn’t be paid for over 4 weeks. Having grown up in care with no financial safety net, Mike hadn’t yet built up a safety cushion to live off for that long. After about 3 weeks, the situation became too difficult to bear and he reached out to us.  

Thanks to your generous support, Mike was able to put food on his table and keep the hot water running until he finally received his first pay check after about six weeks. Whilst he is still working in the warehouse, he has started working with his Careers Specialist again to find his next long-term sustainable job. 

Josh, 18 

Josh only began working with Drive Forward a few months ago. Despite his young age, Josh has been set on his dream career from the very beginning. He wants to be a top-notch care-mechanic. His Careers Specialist accepted the challenge and suggested for Josh to apply for a Level 2 Apprenticeship to break into the sector. They found a garage reasonably local to Josh and sent off an application. Josh was thrilled when he got invited to the interview, and gladly accepted the offer to be fitted out with a new suit from our partners at Suited & Booted charity. 

Having gotten his new attire and done a couple of interview prep sessions with his Careers Specialist, Josh was ready to smash his interview. But then, it hit him: The interview was scheduled for 9am at the company’s head offices in the far north of London. Josh lives in the South, and traveling up there at peak times it would cost him close to £20. Josh didn’t have that kind of money to spend on public transport. That’s to cover food, gas, electricity! 

Luckily, his Careers Specialist knew exactly how to help him, and Josh was able to make to his interview in time. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful this time, but thanks to your support and his new suit, he is equipped and ready to jump at more opportunities to come. 

Help us raise awareness this Christmas

We will be launching a Cost-of-living crisis awareness campaign in December and encourage you to engage with our content on social media so that more people are made aware of the manifold challenges care-experienced young people are facing. Thank you for believing in their potential! 

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You’ve heard it all before: Prices are rising and we’re amidst a real cost of living crisis. Whilst all of us are rightfully looking at our bills with a desperate sigh, the most vulnerable among us may not even have enough of a breath left to do so.  

“It is just exhausting,” says Monique, one of our Employment Consultants. “This is when the lack of a functioning support network really puts my young people into an impossible position. Incurring debts, lack of financial knowledge, lack of experience to gain a well-paid job... it’s very hard for them.” 

The economic climate, rising costs, and lack of available entry level opportunities bear heavy on care-experienced young people's lives and our team has already seen the impact on their mental and physical health. Monique notes, “Many of the young people I work with have no routine. They stay up late and stay in bed late as they don’t have any work or school to go to. Some of them have already developed depression and others find refuge in a destructive ‘I don’t care’ attitude. What they need is widespread support and encouragement, from me, their Personal Advisor, friends, from everyone. And of course, a realistic route back into the jobs market.” 

That’s where Drive Forward and you come in. Together, we can make a lasting difference to care-experienced young people's lives by enabling them to move into a career of their own choice and build fulfilled lives for themselves. 

Jessie: Tacking the cost of living crisis 

Jessie is one of many young people who eagerly jumped to benefit from the government's Kickstart scheme designed to encourage employers to create entry level opportunities. Aged 21, Jessie is currently living in semi-independent accommodation offered by a big UK housing provider. Known for offering shelter to those in need, we’re again and again surprised at the high rents ou young people are being charged, often with no breakdown of fees provided. 

With prices going up all around him, it was only a question of time before Jessie’s rent was increased as well. Suddenly he had to find an extra £45 each month, whilst also trying to cope with rising costs for travel and essentials such as food. 

“My rent went up £45 pcm in April without explanation... I need to be able to pay for my weekly travel which is £20. I have 3 months left to go of my kickstart contract so that is 12 weeks at £20 per week = £240.” 

Thank you for enabling Jessie to complete his placement and continue his career journey! 

J’s story: Striving towards a career of your own choice! 

J has been with Drive Forward for a few years and in that time has trialed and tested multiple career paths to find out what she really enjoys doing. She has worked in marketing, fashion, and has recently discovered her passion for events. Now she is interested in becoming a Host. Eager to gain experience in the sector, J decided to join a prestigious hotel and learn as much as she can from their experienced team. 

J was quick in nailing a job offer and enthusiastic to get started. However, with costs and prices for food, energy, and travel rising across the board, J had a decision to make. She could either accept the part-time role, spend all her dispensable income on travel, and go hungry throughout the day until she’d receive her first pay check, or she could decline this incredible opportunity and look for something more local where she could walk to.  

Your support offered J a third choice, to accept the job and fully benefit from the opportunity. 

Thanks to your generous support of Closing the Gap, J was able to get through the first few weeks of their job and training so that they could begin their part time job without stress or fear of how they were going to get to and from work. This meant that she could apply herself more thoroughly to the work and make a good impression by picking up as many shifts as possible. 

THANK YOU! 

If you want to learn more about this and other initiatives please subscribe to our newsletter. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and believing in the potential of young people! 

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