Surrey Care-Leavers Fund

Launched in 2024, the Surrey Care-Leavers Fund was created to support organisations working with care-leavers and to provide financial support directly to young care-leavers.

Since this time, thanks to funding from the Sedel Collings Foundation, CCLA and the Local Authorities’ Mutual Investment Trust (LAMIT) we have awarded over £89,000. Funding has supported support workers, health and wellbeing programmes, access to education and enabled young people to progress with steps toward employment and further education.  

The Need

In Surrey, there are currently just under 1,000 children in care and around 800 care-leavers (young people aged 16-25 who have care experience).

The outcomes for care-leavers are significantly worse than those without experience of the care system:

  • Care leavers are three times more likely to be NEET (not in Education, Employment or Training);

  • A third face homelessness within two years;

  • Around a quarter of the prison population has care experience; and

  • Only 9% enter higher education by age 19, compared with 47% of peers.

1 in 4 children in the UK will need social care before turning 18.  

Donations

We are currently fundraising to match an additional £25,000 that has been committed to the Fund from the Henry Smith Foundation.  

At CFSurrey we have seen how vital the Care Leavers Fund is in helping young people build confidence and independence. With additional funding, we can extend our reach and ensure that young people leaving care have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. To donate to the Surrey Care Leavers Fund, and benefit from 100% matched funding, please use the link below.  

Donate To Care Leavers Fund

Thanks to securing new funding from the Henry Smith Foundation, we can match every donation 100% up to a total of £25,000 

Applications

This Fund is currently closed and not accepting applications at the current time.

Please review our other grant programmes currently accepting Expressions of Interest.

Other Grant Funds

Subscribe to receive our news

* indicates required

If you are an organisation working with care leavers, please register for our newsletter where updates and news about our Funds are released.

Who to talk to

For any enquiries relating to the Surrey Care-Leavers Fund, please contact Zoe, our Fund Development Manager.

Zoe Coltart

(She/Her)
Fund Development Manager

call

01483 958307

zoe@cfsurrey.org.uk

mail

Mon - 8am-6:30pm

Tues - 9am-2:30pm, 3:30pm-4:30pm

Weds - 9am-5:30pm

Thurs - 9am-2:30pm