Companies Encouraged to Support Young Individuals in Care

A charitable organization based in Kent is calling on businesses to offer their expertise and collaborate in supporting young individuals. The Young Lives Foundation, located in Maidstone, delivers advocacy, mentoring, befriending, and activity programs throughout the county. Patrick Powell, who was raised in foster care, joined the charity’s board as a trustee following the support he received. Currently employed as a trainee skip manager at Countrystyle Recycling, he encourages other companies to support the charity in aiding the upcoming generation of young people within the care system. Mr. Powell stated, “It’s a stigma being a child in care. I think a lot of people look at young people in care as being troubled and don’t give you a chance. I want to show them you just need a degree of positivity to make it.” Countrystyle Recycling was among the initial local businesses to commit support to the Young Lives Foundation (YLF) by offering paid volunteering roles to its employees. Martin Heathcote, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, commented, “I had a great upbringing myself and I want to do more for kids that don’t have that.” The Young Lives Foundation recently received the title of Kent Mental Health Charity of the Year, recognizing its efforts in assisting young individuals in the care system and vulnerable young adults. Nevertheless, the organization has experienced a reduction in funding, even as its number of clients has increased to more than 3,000 individuals. Stephen Gray, the chief executive, expressed a desire for local companies to offer more than just monetary aid. He stated: “We need volunteers. We need time. We need funding and expertise so we would be delighted to hear from anybody that can help us out.”