Care Leavers Programme expansion in Cambridgeshire

New £24,800 donation to support local care leavers

The Care Leavers Programme is a multi-year programme providing support for care leavers to survive and thrive as they transition to adulthood.

It was launched in 2024 by the Local Authorities’ Mutual Investment Trust (LAMIT) and UK Community Foundations (UKCF), in collaboration with investment manager CCLA.

From university bursaries and driving lessons to home equipment and career coaching, the programme is supporting care leavers to take their next steps.

In its first year, our Foundation was among 17 participating community foundations from UKCF to have supported more than 2,000 care leavers aged between 16 and 25 years old, by funding 59 organisations and 411 individuals directly.

A new donation of £1.7 million over three years by the Henry Smith Foundation will now expand the programme out to 14 new areas in the UK, now including Northern Ireland and Wales. This expansion will bring the total programme value to £7 million, including matched funds, significantly increasing reach, impact and length of delivery.

As part of this, our Foundation has received £24,800, which will be ringfenced and matched where possible to provide up to £49,600 for grant-making across Cambridgeshire.

“
We’re delighted to fund the expansion of the Care Leavers Programme across the UK. This work is important and ambitious – bringing together community foundations, local authorities and the Henry Smith Foundation. Together, we’ll increase critical support for both care leavers and the charitable organisations supporting them as they navigate their way into adulthood.
”
Anand Shukla
Chief Executive at Henry Smith Foundation

Impact to date

Projects funded in Cambridgeshire

In the programme’s first year, the following organisations benefitted from funding:

Nene Valley Care Trust – To deliver one to one support, group activities and life skills training for 10 young care leavers.

Break – Towards delivery of a 3-stage employment pathway project called ‘Passport to Work’ for circa 25 young care leavers.

Peterborough City Council – To fund short courses and training opportunities for around 20 young care leavers, as part of their pathway towards either employment or continued education.

Cambridgeshire County Council – To provide a one-year hardship fund for care leavers to pay for non-statutory support, such as travel bursaries or housing costs, where these are not covered by other sources.

National impact

A new report published by UKCF shows the national reach that the Care Leavers Programme has had to date.

Read UKCF’s report

Case study

Supported by a grant from the Care Leavers Programme, Break worked with young care leavers to support them into employment.

Break’s Passport to Work Programme

“
This programme is providing vital funding to ensure care leavers are not being held back by lack of access to opportunities. Thanks to this expanded funding, we can continue strengthening the support available to help these young people move into adulthood with confidence and reach their full potential.
”
Michael O’Toole
Chief Executive at Cambridgeshire Community Foundation