Young people who have grown up in care enjoyed a festive lunch and received bundles of Christmas gifts following generous donations from businesses and other organisations in Trafford.
Over 20 young people got together for a Christmas lunch at Trafford Town Hall sponsored by Altrincham-based law firm Hill and Company Solicitors.
They were joined by Aftercare Workers and other colleagues from Trafford’s Care Experienced service, which offers support and guidance to young adults aged 18-25 who have left the care system and are making their own way in the world.
Young care leavers across the borough have also been receiving Christmas gifts thanks to a huge volume of contributions from students, parents and staff at Sale Grammar School, who collected toiletries, chocolates, vouchers and other gifts.
This is the fourth year that the school community has offered their support to care experienced young people, and over that time has donated thousands of pounds worth of presents.
Three more local businesses have also made care experienced young people a priority this Christmas.
Cargills, located in Trafford Park, sent a large donation of selection boxes, while Altrincham-based Paystream and RingGo, Trafford’s car park payment system supplier, also sent a generous donation of gift vouchers.
Karina Carter, Trafford’s Executive Member for Babies, Children and Young People said:
“Christmas is a time for giving and for spreading a little joy, and we’re very grateful to Hill & Co for offering to sponsor our festive lunch for care experienced young people.
“As a local authority we are corporate parents to this group of young people – providing ongoing support with housing, education, training, work opportunities, money management and anything else that’s needed to give young people their best start in the adult world – just as any parents would do.
“To do this well, building strong relationships is essential, and today was all about spending time together and giving our young people the chance to share a relaxed moment with their peers and the people who are here to support them. We’d like to thank Hill & Co for their incredible generosity to make this lunch happen. It’s been a lovely event for everyone who attended.”
Matthew Vernon, Managing Partner of Hill and Company Solicitors said:
“Leaving care is often a very daunting and challenging time for care-leavers. The Christmas period should be a time of community, joy, and festivity, yet for many, it is a time of loneliness and trepidation.
“It is trite, but true, to say that the next generation are our future. All young people face challenges, but care-leavers face more challenges than most, and at a time when the patchwork of care that they have relied upon falls away.
"As a community, we should support these young people as they continue their transition into adulthood and begin to make their way in the world. At a time when finances are tight for individuals, businesses, and local authorities alike, this can be difficult to do, and support for the vulnerable and disenfranchised is often one of the first things to fall by the wayside as people are forced to turn inwards to keep themselves and their families afloat.
"I think that it is especially important at such times that those of us who are able to, should do what they can to help alleviate privation and support their community, even if that is only giving a stranger in need a few hours of respite at Christmas.
“Hill and Company Solicitors aims to be an asset for the local community, and I am grateful to the wonderful team at Trafford Council for giving us an opportunity to play a small part in the valuable work that they do to support the young and vulnerable members of our society. I hope that those who attended the Christmas lunch had a marvellous time, and I wish them all the best for the future.”