News / care leavers
Long-awaited support hub for care leavers opens
A long-awaited support space for Bristol’s care-experienced young people has officially opened, marking the culmination of five years of planning and development.
The Hub opened on Monday in St Paul’s and offers a safe, welcoming centre where care leavers can drop in whenever they need support — whether for a conversation, practical guidance or simply to do their laundry.
The Hub is a dedicated centre supporting care leavers as they transition into independent living.
At the newly-opened hub, young people can seek practical advice on employment, managing finances, emotional support and workshops covering key life skills.
A long-awaited support space for Bristol’s care-experienced young people has officially opened
“They wanted a space just for them, with staff who understand what it means to have experienced care,” said Christine Townsend, chair of the children and young people policy committee at the Bristol City Council.
“A lot of our work is about building confidence. Many young people need more time and more support to reach life milestones that others might take for granted.”
The challenges care leavers face are significant. It is reported that care-experienced young people are 62 per cent more likely to die before 75 and one-third may become homeless within two years of leaving care, accounting for a quarter of the homeless population.
They are also four to five times more likely to self-harm, with unemployment rates of 22 per cent by age 27.
“This building was designed with our care-experienced young people,” explained Jo Essex, post-16 service manager at the City Council.
“They helped us shape everything — the layout, the colour scheme, and what they wanted from the space. For them, it was really important to have somewhere to relax, meet as a group, socialise and develop independent living skills.”
A care-experienced young person addressing the audience on what The Hub means for care leavers
The Hub’s facilities include meeting rooms, a kitchen, shower rooms and flexible spaces that allow young people to drop in for a chat, attend workshops, or work on projects.
“It’s a drop-in space for anyone aged 16 and over, with no end point,” Essex continued.
“As with any family, even when they’re 26 or 36, our door is always open. That’s central to our ethos — our work is relationship-based. We’re part of their family, their corporate parents, so they can return whenever they need us.”
The Hub’s facilities include meeting rooms (pictured), a kitchen, shower rooms and flexible spaces
For care leavers themselves, the impact is immediate. Benji, a hub user, said: “The space definitely grants lots of opportunities for young, vulnerable people.
“If my washing machine broke down, or I ran out of food, or there were needs that needed to be fulfilled, I could come to this space and know that I’d be looked after in a way that maybe, if I had a family, they would do that for me. So that’s what space is for me.”
Jo Essex (left), post-16 service manager and Christine Townsend, chair of the children and young people policy committee at the Bristol City Council, during the opening of The Hub
During the launch, visitors were able to explore different stations highlighting areas where care-experienced young people often need support, including financial management, wellbeing, and housing.
For more information on partnering with The Hub, email [email protected]
All photos: Milan Perera
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