News

On 1 October, the Care for Care Leavers project was launched, driven by a desire to provide young care leavers with employment opportunities in the North London Foundation Trust (NLFT).

This initiative, led by Chris Wild (pictured above) who works for the charity Mind and has personally journeyed through the care system, is supported by the national commitment made in 2023 when the NHS signed the  Care Leaver Covenant .

The Care for Care Leavers project aims to offer stability, career opportunities, and a hopeful future for young adults.

The vision behind the project

With over 10,000 young people leaving care in the UK each year, many face homelessness, unemployment, and the difficult task of building a life without a safety net. Through Care for Care Leavers, the NHS nationally and Mind are demonstrating their commitment to turning these statistics around by offering meaningful roles and career pathways for care leavers.

Chris, the project lead, explains:

“As a care leaver who faced homelessness at 16, I understand the reality of transitioning from the care system into adulthood. The struggle to ‘level up’ in life was decades long and achieving this took real perseverance; it’s a journey that has fuelled the passion I have for this project now.

“I remember the overwhelming challenges I faced. Now, I want to prevent the next generation from facing these same hardships. It’s about giving them a chance.”

The NHS commitment to providing opportunities for care leavers

As part of the Care Leaver Covenant, the NHS pledged to create more opportunities for care-experienced individuals. This commitment isn’t just about employment – it’s also about safeguarding young adults from becoming so-called statistics.

The NHS’s role in this project is pivotal, not only because it offers a broad range of careers but also because it can provide a supportive, stable environment that many care leavers need to thrive. But beyond recruitment, it provides the mentorship, training, and support systems these young people need. The goal is to help them build fulfilling careers and, ultimately, transform their lives.

Mind in Enfield and Barnet is working with us — NLFT — to provide holistic support, addressing the mental and emotional challenges many young people leaving care face. This comprehensive approach aims to foster professional growth as well as personal stability and resilience. Chris has been contracted out from Mind to the North Central London (NCL) Integrated Care Board (ICB), which includes working with NLFT.

He adds:

“The Care for Care Leavers project is a testament to what’s possible when passion and purpose intersect.

“This initiative offers hope and opportunity, ensuring that care leavers today have the support they need to thrive, not just survive.”