The St Nicholas Mothers' Union & SUTTONfx  are working together to create and donate "Starter Kits" to young people leaving the care system in LBS. The Kits contain essential items for young people moving into small flats or bedsits.  

The project started in March 2023 following discussions between the Council Care Leaving Team and the MU.  The project recognises that the needs of the young people are emotional as much as material and that the young people need to feel that the community continues to care for them.  The contents of the boxes are based on the young people's needs and include DIY essentials, a power bank, spare USB cables, a handwritten letter, and a photo frame with original art.

The Care Leaving Team currently supports around 29 young people each year moving into their first independent accommodation. The Kits are of high quality and something that the young person would be happy to share on social media. 

The liaison with the Care Leaving Team is continuing.  They are meeting with young adults who have recently left care to create a list of items that they identify as wishing they had had on arrival in their new starter accommodation. 

The project has received grants and donations that fully cover the first 3 years of operation.  This money is held as restricted funds by SUTTONfx on behalf of the project.

Liz from St Nicholas MU, Rachel and Michael one of the recent Care Leavers pitched for the project at Sutton Soup.  Unfortunately, they didn't win but they publicised the project and gained some great friends and allies for the Care Leavers Kits.