Brighter Futures supports care experienced young adults in West Cumbria and Barrow to achieve their goals and build positive, independent lives. Making the transition to adult life is a difficult time for most young people, but especially difficult for those leaving care who may not have enjoyed the stability of a settled family life. Brighter Futures aims to provide the support and resources they need to build stable, fulfilling lives and achieve their full potential.

The programme is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and delivered in partnership with Cumbria Youth Alliance and Inspira, with the support of Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council. It has two strands:

• Firm Foundation – delivered by Cumbria Youth Alliance, to help build emotional resilience and social skills, and raise aspirations through personalised mentoring and skill-based activities.

• Flourish – delivered by Inspira, focusing on becoming work-ready by providing tailored work placements, training and employment opportunities, supported by mentors from the business community.

The three-year programme forms part of the national Care Leavers Programme managed by UK Community Foundations, a £3.6m match fund scheme funded by the Local Authorities’ Mutual Investment Trust (LAMIT), a shareholder of the UK’s biggest charities asset manager, CCLA. Match funding has been provided by a number of charitable trusts, companies and private donors, including BAE Systems and John Laing Charitable Trust.