Businesses urged to help young people in care

Young Lives Foundation trustee Patrick Powell says businesses need to mentor young people in the care system

A Kent charity is urging businesses to provide expertise and join them in helping young people.

Maidstone-based Young Lives Foundation provides advocacy, mentoring, befriending and activity programmes across the county.

Patrick Powell grew up in foster care and became a trustee of the charity after receiving assistance.

He now works as a trainee skip manager for Countrystyle Recycling and wants other firms to help the charity assist the next generation of young people in care.

“It’s a stigma being a child in care," said Mr Powell.

"I think a lot of people look at young people in care as being troubled and don't give you a chance.

"I want to show them you just need a degree of positivity to make it.”

Countrystyle Recycling was one of the first local companies to pledge their support to YLF by providing paid volunteering opportunities for staff.

Martin Heathcote, the firm's CEO, said "I had a great upbringing myself and I want to do more for kids that don’t have that."

CEO of Countrystyle Recycling, Martin Heathcote, wants other firms to mentor young people in the care system

Young Lives Foundation was recently named Kent Mental Health Charity of the Year for its work supporting young people in the care system and vulnerable young adults.

However, the charity has seen funding cut, despite its client base rising to over 3,000 people.

Chief executive Stephen Gray said he would like local firms to go beyond financial assistance.

He said: "We need volunteers. We need time. We need funding and expertise so we would be delighted to hear from anybody that can help us out.”