Hub to open for young people leaving care in County Durham
A new hub to support young people who are leaving care has opened in County Durham.
Durham County Council has opened a new care leavers hub in Sherburn Hill which will provide a safe, supportive community space for young people no longer in care.
An opening ceremony was held at which a group of inspiring young care leavers were joined by the council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, Cllr Ted Henderson, to officially launch the hub.
The care leavers hub will act as a place for young people to go where they can talk with an advisor as well as have a coffee and socialise with others.
Throughout the year, the hub will have a timetable of programmes and courses for young people to get involved in and develop new skills, such as learning to cook on a budget, improving health and wellbeing, learning life skills, and being part of gardening projects.
There will be drop-in sessions ran by the council’s welfare rights and DurhamWorks teams, which have been designed to support young people after leaving care.
The hub will also have amenities available for young people who may find themselves in a time of crisis, including shower and wash facilities, a kitchen and washing machine.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, one care leaver said: “The hub feels cosy. We like how it has been decorated and we have enjoyed being able to add to this with artwork. We like that young people have had a view on it and will continue to be involved in the running of it.”
Cllr Ted Henderson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “This has been a long-awaited project which will be a huge support to care leavers within the county, and I am delighted to have been invited to be part of the opening ceremony.
“We still want to support our young people even though they are no longer in care, and this hub will be a safe and welcoming place where leavers can come for help, advice, to learn new skills and socialise with others who are of a similar age and circumstance.
“It will also be a valuable asset to our care leaver service, allowing staff to continue to build strong relationships with care leavers and provide them with any support they need.”
To get support from the council’s care leavers service, call 03000 262271 or email
careleavers@durham.gov.uk
For more information about the support available for care leavers, visit https://www.durham.gov.uk/careleavers