Children’s charity St Christopher’s Fellowship, based in London has been awarded a grant of £105,000 over three years by BBC Children in Need. This grant will fund our Life-skills programme, and help make a difference to the lives of children and young people facing disadvantage right here in the capital.

The charity, which has been supporting children and young people since 1870, provides quality children’s homes, supported housing, fostering and other specialist services, and promotes lifelong learning and thriving for all those in their care.

This newly awarded grant from BBC Children in Need will support young care leavers to learn the skills they need for self-sufficiency on their journey towards adulthood including finding and keeping employment, sourcing and setting up a place to live, cooking skills and everyday money management.

St Christopher’s Fellowship promotes the active involvement of young people, by supporting them to have their say in shaping the services and care provided. The young people who live in St Christopher’s homes have told us that finding a job and starting a career is one of their greatest concerns.

By strengthening the team of life-skills workers, who day-to-day provide both one-to-one and small groups support, we are able to work with even more young people and therefore have a greater impact for those leaving care.

Leaving care is a transition, not a one off event, and our charity is committed to helping young people successfully navigate this journey and create their own brighter futures.

Ned Wall Participation Manager at St Christopher’s in the UK said:

“Thanks to BBC Children in Need, this funding means that we can support the young people we care for to thrive into independence.”