A bridge to independence
East Woodhay Society’s chosen charity for 2020 is Young People and Children First – a small, local charity, supporting care leavers and young people at risk of homelessness. Its seeds were sown in 2008 by John and Patsy Stone, experienced foster carers who worried about the lack of support available to the young people leaving them at the age of 18. It’s quite shocking to think that nationally around 10,000 young people leave care each year without the ability to go “home” for support, or even make all those phone calls I remember making at 18 - “Mum, how do I…..?”
Mark Rand and I paid a visit to the charity’s office in New Greenham Park to meet CEO Rachel Morgan and find out more about their work and discuss possibilities for actively supporting their efforts.
Today, the charity assists 7 care leavers & young homeless people aged between 16 & 25 in two houses in Thatcham, with a programme tailored to their needs, covering life skills such as budgeting, shopping, cooking, DIY and applying for jobs. In return the young person commits to finding an apprenticeship, training, education, paid or voluntary work. A “live in” supervisor and other support workers provide advice, emotional and practical support.
The charity’s main aim is to bridge the gap between leaving care/homelessness - enabling young people to move on to independent living.
They need more volunteers – whether in formal roles such as Trustees or for mentoring, skills coaching or spending time with young people socially e.g. – cinema visits, cooking meals, bike rides etc etc. They are especially keen to find coaches / helpers for their allotments in Thatcham, as some of the residents are keen to grow their own vegetables, but don’t know how. So are there any gardeners out there who would like to pass on their knowledge and skills to keen young people??
There will be further articles through the year about YPACF, with more on projects and updates on past and current residents. With more funding and volunteers, YPACF aim to add a third house and develop an outreach service . In the meantime, if you would like to find out more, or consider volunteering as a Trustee, Mentor or other role, please see www.youngpeopleandchildrenfirst.org.uk or contact info@ypacf.org.uk tel 01635 500849.
You can also help support the charity by making a donation via East Woodhay Society or by attending one of our fundraising events (send an email to eastwoodhaysociety@gmail.com for more details). All money donated or raised will be doubled by The Good Exchange when we make our presentation to YPACF at our AGM.
Teresa Munn, East Woodhay Society Member
Gemma Saunders and Rachel Morgan of YPACF in their New Greenham Office
