The CareTech Foundation and Youth Leads UK have partnered to support 72 care-experienced young people in the Northwest to access skills development and social action opportunities.

The Youth Leads Cares programme aims to help young people focused, yet not limited to, BAME community, in the care system with positive activities, skills workshops and employer-led mentoring.

Participants will access a three-month leadership programme to learn about communication, build confidence and boost their career prospects, with practical examples for future job interviews.

This work will take place primarily in Greater Manchester, launching first in Salford, Bolton and Bury. In 2024, the programme will launch in Manchester, Trafford and Rochdale. By 2026, 72 young people will have been supported thanks to funding from the CareTech Foundation.

Across the three years, participants will also contribute to the youth-led publication Xplode Magazine and design and deliver three social action projects based on issues that matter to them to give them experience in leading large projects.

CareTech staff will be invited to deliver Youth Leads’ industry insight sessions, provide mentoring opportunities and be interviewed in the Xplode Magazine. Young people will be invited to identify where CareTech staff can support the project.

CareTech Foundation chief executive, Jonathan Freeman, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide funding to Youth Leads UK to support 72 care-experienced young people across the Northwest, over three years. By accessing the three-month leadership programme young people will be able to boost and shape their careers and develop skills that will support them long into the future.”

You can learn more and get involved on the Youth Leads UK website: https://youthleads.uk