One stop shop opens for care leavers in Stockton
Stockton Council's marking National Care Leavers' Month
A 'one stop shop' for care leavers in Stockton has officially opened for them to get advice, guidance and support.
The No Limits Hub’s opening comes as Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council marks National Care Leavers’ Month to shine a light on care leavers, celebrate their achievements and raise awareness of some of the challenges they face.
Care leavers can benefit from a welcoming space, which will offer life skills such as cooking classes and information on employment and training. And it arrives following on from the pledge from the Council for care leavers to receive an improved offer of additional, personalised support, which was approved last year.
Cllr Lisa Evans, leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “The Council has a commitment for us all to be a good ‘corporate parent’ and have the same aspirations and support for care experienced young people as we would for our own children.
“And we’re immensely proud of our track record of supporting care leavers around the area, who can have a particularly daunting time when making the transition into adulthood. The new No Limits Hub is a fantastic addition.
“Throughout Care Leavers’ Month, we want to shine a light on our care leavers. It’s also a month of celebration, including a life skills graduation event for our care leavers and an award ceremony to mark the many achievements of our care experienced young people.
"Ultimately, ensuring each care leaver has a bright future is what we strive towards and I am just so proud of all children and young adults who have left our care.”
As part of Care Leavers’ Month, a pop-up shop will be arriving at Wellington Square where care leavers will be selling homemade Christmas crafts.
The pop-up shop will be there today (13th November), 18th and 19th from 10am until 4pm.
For more information, you can visit the dedicated care leavers web page.
Free bus travel for care leavers in the Tees Valley
A new pass to ensure care leavers across our region can access free bus travel is now ready for launch.
The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority agreed to fund free bus travel passes for those leaving the care system earlier this year.
Tees Pass will be operational from Monday 17th November, allowing card-holding care leavers to access free bus travel until age 25.
The development of Tees Pass followed a request by the leaders of Tees Valley’s five local authorities last year.
Tees Valley Combined Authority also provides funding to ensure fares are capped at £1 for under 22s in the region.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Every young person in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool deserves a fair shot at the new jobs, training and education opportunities on their doorstep, and being able to get around easily is key to making that happen.
“With Tees Pass, we’re making it easier for care leavers to access new opportunities, particularly given we know the financial and social challenges they can often face moving into adulthood.
“We Know the £1 fare cap has done a lot to help thousands of our young people get around since its launch, and this combined with Tees Pass shows we’re serious about helping all our young people access more routes into work, education and training.”
Funding for Tees Pass is provided by the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which comes via the Department for Transport.
Tees Valley Combined Authority is working with local authorities to ensure all eligible care leavers receive the pass.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “Providing free travel for care leavers is a simple and straightforward move which will have a big impact on hundreds of lives.
“Young people who leave care face so many challenges and it’s good we’re working together to remove as many obstacles as possible.”
Cllr Steve Harker, Leader of Darlington Borough Council and TVCA Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure added: “We want the transport network across Tees Valley to work for as many people as possible.
“Ensuring our care leavers have free travel is another important part of us improving what we have to offer. I’m pleased our call for action has been backed and is finally being put into action.”
Cllr Lisa Evans, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and TVCA Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: “The new bus pass for care leavers is a very welcome addition and coincides nicely with the opening of our brand new ‘No Limits Hub’, which is a one-stop-shop for care leavers in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough.
“We know care leavers can have a particularly daunting time when making the transition into adulthood, so having the access to bus travel will make a really positive difference and can help with employment opportunities too.
“It’s currently Care Leavers’ Month and it’s fantastic to be able to shine a light on and celebrate our care leavers.”
Cllr Pamela Hargreaves, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and TVCA Cabinet Member for Creative Place, added: “We value our young people, we believe in their potential and we’re committed to breaking down the barriers they face.
“This introduction of free bus travel for care leavers isn’t just important – it’s an absolute lifeline, and for many of them this will mean the difference between isolation and opportunity.
“It’s a crucial step that will help care leavers access education, employment and the support networks they need to thrive.”
Cllr Alec Brown, Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and TVCA Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Net Zero, added: “This new Tees Pass is a vital step forward in helping care leavers across our region access the opportunities they deserve.
“Whether it’s getting to college, starting a new job, or attending training, free bus travel removes a major barrier and will open doors for many young people.”
Steve Walker, Stagecoach Managing Director for the North East, said: “Our bus services are a convenient, accessible and sustainable way to travel round the Tees Valley region – so it’s fantastic that care leavers will now be able to access them until the age of 25 as part of this scheme.”
A spokesperson for Arriva added: “Arriva are happy to be part of this scheme to help enrich the lives of care leavers and enable them to travel for work and leisure opportunities.”