People who care for those out on their own
LEAVING home can be a tough time for any youngster, but for a care leaver cut off from the care system for the first time, it can be overwhelming.
Claire Bryan, 23, was placed in care when she was just nine years old and spent the rest of her childhood in foster homes.
Claire was 20 when she left the care system and, although she had good relationship with her foster parents, she found life having to fend for herself daunting.
“It’s scary when you come out of care,” said Claire, from Stockport.
“You’re put in this house. It feels like you’re just dumped there.
“You get used to it but it’s horrible living on your own for the first time.”
When Claire gave birth to her little girl, Rihanna, three years ago she joined a mums group to meet new people and get out of the house.
It was at this group she heard about a mentoring project for care leavers called Pure Insight.
The project was set up to help young people like Claire who have recently left the care system and need a consistent adult in their life.
The idea is to tackle loneliness and isolation among care leavers, but also help them celebrate the good times in their lives.
It was through one of Insight’s ‘speed mentoring’ nights in January 2015 that Claire was introduced to her new mentor Jennette Sains.
The pair hit it off immediately and now count each other as firm friends.
In the last year Jennette has helped Claire with practical living arrangements, such as finding a new house, and supported her through the birth of her second baby, Holly.
Jennette, 43, says being a mentor has enriched her life as well as Claire’s.
“Claire and I got on straight away and have become more like friends,” she said.
“We’ve done so much fun stuff together too. We’ve been to London and did the Pretty Muddy Run together.”
Jennette and Claire are now encouraging other young care leavers and potential mentors to get involved with Insight.
Claire added: “When you have a mentor you have someone who’s there for you, like a family.
“Jennette has become like an auntie to my children as well as a friend to me.”
Pure Insight is recruiting new mentors for its next intake in September.
For more information, visit pureinsight.org.uk.