Live Unlimited is a small local charity in Barnet dedicated to supporting the borough’s children in care and young care leavers with a range of services over and above what the council provides.

Care experienced young people are trauma experienced as children and at 18 are expected to lead independent lives with little or no support. Only 17% gain 5 GCSEs compared to the national average of 60%, 41% of 19-21 year-olds are NEET compared to 11.6% nationally and they are four times more likely to suffer with mental ill health than those who lived with their parents. Over 27% of the adult prison population are care experienced despite less than 1% of under 18s
entering the care system. The whereabouts of 12% of care leavers are currently unknown.

Live Unlimited’s schemes aim to help care experienced children and young people grow in confidence, learn new skills, create job opportunities and reduce social isolation. Your donations will help fund the following:

•  Aspire Higher: A series of network meetings for care leavers to connect with professionals and employers they wouldn’t normally meet to find out more about more sustainable and rewarding career choices

• Outdoor Club: A six-week outdoor learning activity for children in care aged 6-17, to encourage them to try new things, take risks, grow in confidence and build friendships

• Driving Ahead: A package of 45 hours of driving lessons plus the cost of the theory test and practical driving test, for care experienced young people aged 17-25. This can be a game changer for a young person with few opportunities, improving self-esteem as well as employability

• Imagination Unlimited: A fund to buy equipment, courses and memberships for children in care and young care leavers so they can pursue hobbies and recreational activities, which can help boost skills and confidence but are often out of financial reach.