New ‘Super Hub’ to help young care leavers
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (BWC) will join former Olympian Fatima Whitbread and partners from across the city to launch a new ‘super hub’ that will help young people leaving the care system .
This landmark event at our Children’s Hospital on Thursday 30 July represents the first Super Hub Initiative within Fatima’s UK Campaign which sets out to improve life chances for children and young people growing up in and leaving the care system.
It brings together several partner organisations to create real pathways into apprenticeships, employment, and sustainable living.
Speaking about the Super Hub, Fatima Whitbread MBE said: “ The Birmingham Super Hub Initiative brings together an exceptional collaboration of organisations committed to delivering a truly holistic, wraparound model of support for care-experienced children and young people.
“Together, we are working to create pathways into education, employment, housing, health, wellbeing, and community. I want to thank our partners for their commitment to this initiative that will make a huge difference to young people.”
James Stokes, a Staff Engagement and Wellbeing Administrator at BWC, had grown up through the care system.
Welcoming the Super Hub initiative, he said: “I grew up within the care system and found myself without the right support when I turned 18.
“This service will ensure that care leavers like me don’t find themselves in a similar situation. It will allow them to leave the system with a plan in place by accessing the help these organisations will provide.”
Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley and former safeguarding minister will speak at the event.
Lawrence Kelly , People Partnerships and Programmes Manager at BWC , said: “ It’s an honour to be a key partner in the Super Hub and to be able to offer opportunities to care leavers from across our city to thrive.
“This builds on some of the brilliant work our teams have done with the Care Leaver Covenant, and the success our colleagues who have left care have had at our Trust. ”
Other key partners alongside BWC are St Basils, Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College, StreetGames , Thrive Education Partnership, and The Personal Best Foundation .
The event will see presentations from partners highlighting their work and impact, including contributions from care-experienced young people.