Useful Information for care-experienced young people

Care Leavers App

Care Leavers in Greater Manchester can now access the Care Leaver Offer via an App. This is called Bee Connected and is available for free download on both iOS and Android. The app gives up to date and detailed information on what is on offer in your local area, your rights, your entitlements and opportunities. The app also gives details of events and EET opportunities including apprenticeships across Greater Manchester. All care leavers are encouraged to download the app onto their phones as it provides a valuable resource that care leavers can access on their phones and tablets on a 24/7 basis. The App has been entirely co-produced with care leavers through a series of engagement and participation workshops held with young people across the country. Parts of the App have been designed to function without an internet connection. Once installed, users are able to browse and search content without needing wifi or using phone contract data.

The Rees Foundation:The Rees Foundation exists to provide life-long help and support to those with care experience. They offer a wide range of information, advice and helplines on a range of topics as well as competitions etc. The website is https://www.reesfoundation.org/projects.html

Under the Sky Events empowers care experienced people to create personal and social change through real and meaningful experiences in a natural environment. We want to help adults from all walks of life to try something new that may be just what they need to change their perspective in life. Recently published studies report that the benefits of going for a walk can last for seven hours, imagine what a few days or longer could do as it seems that just exposing ourselves to the sky turns on the magic. If there is a strong link between exposure to nature and wellbeing who better to benefit than care experienced adults, who may return to their personal environments feeling energised and in better spirits after joining us on one of our interesting and fun programmes.

Young people who were cared-for grow into adults who are forced to be independent much younger than their peers and without the support network of a family. For more information visit https://www.undertheskyevents.org/

CHAT Sexual Health is a confidential texting service offering you a quick and easy way for you to talk to us about all things sexual health. Our team are here to help with:

STI testing
Free condoms
Safe sex
Relationships
Consent
Contraception
Emergency contraception
Pregnancy testing
Advice

This is not a live service, but our team aim to respond to all queries within 24 hours. This excludes weekends and bank holidays.

If you’re aged 13-18 living within Bury text us on: 07312 263138

Jobcentre

DWP Greater Manchester has sent information about the Jobcentre Twitter account which provides a regular stream of local vacancies and supportive information online to help people prepare for work, seven days a week. The local account is @JCPinManchester. It isn’t necessary to register on Twitter to view the information. For those less familiar with Twitter as a social media platform, please see the attached ‘How to Use Twitter to look for Jobs’ handout.

Support with Energy Bills

Energy companies may be able to help those on a pre pay meter or smart meter if they are self-isolating and unable to get out of the house to top up. Most are offering to SEND 2 weeks’ worth of gas/electricity if a customer has no other options or support in making a payment. Some companies are also sending out pre-loaded smart cards for those in need.