Lincolnshire businesses urged to back care-experienced young people

Lincolnshire County Council is calling on local businesses and organisations to step forward and offer extra support to young people who have grown up in care as they move into adulthood.

The council has signed up to the Care Leavers Covenant, a national programme that encourages organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors to provide additional help to care-experienced people.

It's now appealing to businesses and organisations across the county to get involved, offering opportunities in areas including employment, education, training, housing, health and wellbeing, and access to services for young people aged sixteen to twenty five.

Councillor Natalie Oliver, executive member for children's services, said the council works "tirelessly" to help young people in its care build a successful adult life, providing support in the same way any parent would.

She said the council wanted to do more, which is why it signed the covenant, adding that it offers better access to national employment, training and internship opportunities, including ring-fenced Civil Service internships.

She said the council now wants local businesses and organisations that feel they can offer a helping hand to get in touch.

One organisation already offering support is Anglian Water, which provides discounted tariffs for care leavers, including up to fifty per cent off their water bill.

Stacey Otter, Customer Service Partnership Manager at Anglian Water, said care leavers are encouraged to complete the company's Extra Care Assessment when they take on their own property.

She said the short questionnaire unlocks different tariffs and identifies other financial help they may be eligible for, including government benefits and warm homes grants.

Otter added that customers can also access free mental health support through the company's partnership with Shout, the UK's first and only free text messaging support service for anyone struggling to cope.

People can text WATER to eighty five two five eight to reach free, confidential support at any time, without it appearing on their bill.

She said Anglian Water supports a wide range of customers, and anyone struggling to pay their bills, or in need of a more tailored service, can contact its specially-trained Priority Services team on oh eight hundred, two three two, one nine five one.