Susan Vickers Foundation and Wolves Foundation Join Forces to Empower Care-Experienced Individuals

Wolverhampton, UK – August 14, 2024 – The Susan Vickers Foundation and Wolves Foundation are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership aimed at transforming the lives of care-experienced individuals in Wolverhampton and beyond. This collaboration will focus on providing mentorships, apprenticeships, mental health support, and cultural enrichment opportunities to those who have been in care.

Addressing a Critical Need

In the UK, approximately 80,000 children are in care at any given time. Care-experienced individuals often face significant challenges in their transition to adulthood, including higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, and mental health issues compared to their peers. Only 6% of care leavers enter higher education by age 19, compared to 40% of their peers, and they are three times more likely to be NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) at age 19.

A Powerful Collaboration

This partnership seeks to address these disparities by offering:

· Mentorship programmes: Connecting care-experienced individuals with successful professionals who can provide guidance and support.

· Apprenticeship opportunities: Creating pathways to meaningful employment and skill development.

· Mental health and well-being support: Providing access to counselling services and wellness programmes.

· Cultural capital initiatives: Offering experiences that broaden horizons and build confidence.

Social Value and Impact

This partnership is expected to generate substantial social value for Wolverhampton and surrounding areas. By investing in care-experienced individuals, the initiative aims to reduce unemployment rates among care leavers, decrease homelessness and housing instability, improve mental health outcomes, enhance educational attainment and skills development, and foster a sense of belonging and community engagement.

Looking Ahead

Susan Vickers, founder of the Susan Vickers Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm: “By joining forces with the Wolves Foundation, we’re amplifying our impact and reaching more care-experienced individuals than ever before. Together, we’re turning pain into purpose and empowering those who need it most.”

Sarah-Louise Evans, Senior Employability Officer at Wolves Foundation, added: “The Wolves Foundation is dedicated to making a difference in our community. By partnering with the Susan Vickers Foundation, we can extend our reach and impact, ensuring that care-experienced individuals receive the support they deserve.”

As the initiative unfolds, both foundations will closely monitor its impact and continuously refine their approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for participants.

For more information, please contact:

· Susan Vickers Foundation: [email protected]

· Wolves Foundation: [email protected]