Young people leaving care are now receiving vital support through mentoring, work experience placements and life skills training, thanks to a £315,000 programme developed by Cumbria Community Foundation.
The three-year initiative is funded by a range of partners, including CCLA, BAE Systems, Roundhouse Properties, private donors and local charitable trusts.
Brighter Futures, delivered in partnership with Cumbria Youth Alliance, Inspira, Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, will provide personalised support to 80 young adults aged 18 to 25. The programme is designed to address the challenges care-experienced young people face as they transition into adulthood. Cumbria has a higher proportion of care experienced young people than the rest of England and rates have continued to rise over the last few years due the impact of austerity, Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis on families.
The Brighter Futures programme has two phases:
• Firm Foundation – delivered by Cumbria Youth Alliance, the first phase will concentrate on building emotional resilience, social skills, and raising aspirations through personalised mentoring and skill-based activities.
• Flourish – delivered by Inspira, the second phase will focus on the transition to becoming work-ready by providing tailored work placements, training and employment opportunities, supported by mentors from the business community.
As well as supporting the young people themselves, the Brighter Futures programme will also provide training for employers to ensure they understand the complexities of working with those leaving the care system and make appropriate adjustments if required.
The programme is already seeing great results:
• C, from Copeland, was referred to the Brighter Futures programme after leaving university due to mental health struggles and homesickness. At the time, she was isolated, unemployed, and unsure of her next steps. Through consistent one-to-one support, including home visits and practical sessions which started via the Multiply Project, C began to rebuild her confidence. She engaged in budgeting and savings workshops, explored career options, and developed key life skills like understanding payslips and planning for driving. Through Brighter Futures, she continued to develop confidence and with the support of Inspira and ISH, she secured a customer service apprenticeship, with her new employer trained to support her mental health needs. Over time, C became more independent, even attending meetings on her own and proactively planning for her future. The programme not only helped her move into employment but also improved her emotional wellbeing and sense of direction. From a young woman who struggled to leave the house, C has transformed into someone ready to work and grow.
• L, a care-experienced young person from Allerdale, joined the Brighter Futures programme after over a year of unemployment and facing multiple barriers including mental health struggles, low confidence, and limited support networks. Initially unsure about her future, L received consistent one-to-one support to help her build routine, confidence, and practical life skills. She updated her CV, explored suitable work placements, and was supported in managing anxieties around new environments by arranging pre-placement visits. L also received help with budgeting, setting up direct debits, and understanding benefits like PIP. Despite ongoing challenges with motivation, sleep, and emotional wellbeing, L engaged with the programme, attended regular meetings, and made steady progress. She identified career interests, began setting achievable goals, and actively participated in community groups and planning sessions. With continued support, L is now working towards part-time employment and gaining valuable experience, moving from a place of uncertainty to one of growing independence and ambition.
• J, from the Barrow area, joined the Brighter Futures programme after struggling to secure an apprenticeship despite completing Levels 1 and 2 in plumbing. With limited work experience, low confidence, and barriers linked to past care experience, J needed targeted support to transition into employment. Through regular one-to-one sessions, he received help with CV building, budgeting, and improving communication skills. Despite setbacks—such as missing a key NHS work experience day due to transport issues—J remained engaged and showed strong potential when in supportive environments. The team worked with him to identify suitable apprenticeship opportunities, prepare for interviews, and build emotional resilience. J opened up more over time, began applying for roles independently, and expressed interest in work with the NHS estates team. The programme helped J move from isolated job searching to active engagement with multiple services and career pathways. He’s now better equipped to secure long-term employment, with growing self-belief and communication skills that support his journey forward
• G, who is 19, joined the Brighter Futures programme with significant personal and health-related challenges. Living with long-term illness, a learning disability, and mental health struggles, she had left school in Year 9 and lacked formal qualifications or recent work experience. G faced complex trauma, family instability, and fluctuating physical health, including recent hospitalisations and difficult personal experiences. Despite this, she showed a clear desire to work and gain independence. Through one-to-one support, G explored potential careers such as cleaning, care work, and even flight attending, while receiving help with her CV, job applications, and emotional support. She began engaging more openly about her past and present difficulties, expressing both ambition and vulnerability. Though setbacks continued—including health relapses and family crises—G maintained contact with CYA and Inspira key workers and expressed a desire to move forward. Brighter Futures has helped her regain a sense of structure, direction, and hope, laying the groundwork for future employment and personal growth.
You can find out more by listening to our podcast with Deborah Naylor and Claire Sands here Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast episode 22: Discussing the…
Cumbria Chamber is pleased to support Brighter Futures with our Head of Business Support Lesley Robinson sitting on the steering group.
Brighter Futures is helping care-experienced young people in Cumbria take confident steps towards independence and meaningful employment. Developed by Cumbria Community Foundation in partnership with Cumbria Youth Alliance and Inspira, the programme is made possible thanks to generous funding from CCLA, alongside match funding from charitable trusts, local businesses, and individual donors.
