A new “care leavers hub” for care experienced young people has opened its doors in Liverpool this week.

The new hub, funded and managed by Liverpool City Council, aims to offer support to young people with experience of care and help them with the transition to adulthood. A range of services and support is now available under 1 roof. 

Based initially at the MPAC (Merseyside Play Action Council) building on Bridport Street, care leavers will be able to access personal support at the site, as well as facilities such as a shared kitchen, space for arts and crafts, a canteen, and a DJ/music suite.

The council will also have a timetable of scheduled events and activities designed to prepare care-experienced young people for adulthood.

Cllr Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services at Liverpool City Council, said:- “The site in the current MPAC building in Liverpool will be the hub’s temporary home whilst we work on a more permanent and purposeful venue. The hub will become an essential asset for supporting care leavers on the next stage of their journey and it was important we didn’t wait too long – a temporary venue will allow us to deliver the service whilst working alongside our young people to co-design a permanent site. We want young people leaving our care to know that they will always have somewhere to go and someone to turn to whenever they need it. As the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority already provide free travel passes to our all our care leavers, the temporary hub, and the permanent hub when that is delivered, will be easily accessible to all.”

Leaving the care system is a big change for many care leavers and the experience can be daunting. The hub will provide somewhere for care leavers to seek support and advice when they need it and aims to make the transition easier.

A permanent location for the hub will be identified in due course.