For many care leavers, having access to a phone, data and digital support is not simply a convenience. It can be the difference between missing an important opportunity and being able to stay connected to housing, employment, education and the people who support them.
Throughout August, our work in the Care Leavers Hub in Stockport continued to demonstrate how practical digital inclusion support can remove barriers and help young people take positive next steps. While devices and connectivity are often the starting point, the real impact comes from the relationships built, the confidence developed and the opportunities that become accessible once someone is connected. Starting Point staff provide device and connectivity support alongside wider digital inclusion and employability assistance. The team distributed phones, SIM cards and devices, responded to referrals, and worked closely with Personal Advisers and partner organisations to ensure support was available when it was needed.
At the start of the month, a review of the project showed that the partnership had already supported 28 care leavers, provided 22 SIM cards and distributed 26 devices, including smartphones, Chromebooks and 2-in-1 devices. The total value of support delivered through the project was reported as £9,445.
We continued to see evidence that the Hub has become a trusted and recognised support point. Staff reflected on positive conversations with Personal Advisers which often led to further referrals, while partners highlighted the value of having accessible, responsive support available for young people who may be facing multiple challenges at the same time.
One of the strongest lessons from our Care Leavers work is that digital exclusion is rarely a standalone issue. A young person may initially arrive needing a SIM card or a replacement phone, but conversations frequently reveal wider challenges linked to employment, housing, confidence, finances or wellbeing. Supporting someone digitally often creates an opportunity to offer wider guidance, signposting and encouragement.
The summer provided several examples of this. Staff reported that some care leavers were returning not only for practical help but also because they knew there was someone available to listen, troubleshoot problems and help them navigate the next step. This growing trust is an important outcome in itself and helps build engagement before situations reach crisis point.
One young care leaver had previously received support with connectivity but was reluctant to accept further help when their damaged phone was becoming increasingly unreliable. When they later returned to the Hub, staff discovered that sections of the screen no longer worked properly and the device was deteriorating rapidly. At the same time, the young person had secured a new job. A working smartphone had become essential for accessing rotas, communicating with their employer and managing day-to-day work commitments.
Following a conversation about their situation, we provided a replacement phone and supported them to transfer everything across safely. The young person expressed genuine thanks and left with a phone that would help them manage work responsibilities and maintain communication with services and support networks. This story reflects a wider theme seen throughout our Care Leavers work. Sometimes the most significant outcome is not the device itself. It is what that device enables: employment, independence, stability and confidence.
The feedback received during the summer has reinforced our belief that digital inclusion remains a vital part of supporting care leavers into adulthood.
In the coming months we will continue to provide devices, connectivity and one-to-one support through the Care Leavers Hub while strengthening referral processes and ensuring support is tailored to individual circumstances. Staff have also been involved in discussions with Hub partners and council colleagues about future activity, including opportunities to engage care leavers through creative projects and events during Care Leavers Month.
Most importantly, we will continue to focus on the principle that has guided this work throughout August: digital support is about people, not just technology. A phone can mean contact with a support worker. A SIM card can mean access to a job application. A laptop can mean completing a course. Behind every device is a person trying to move forward, and our role is to help remove barriers so that they can do exactly that.