By Juno Schwarz | Director of Fundraising & Communications
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!
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Thank you for your ongoing support and believing in the potential of young people!
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