Why did it happen?
Bright Spots national findings show that care-experienced children and young people who have regular access to the outdoors have increased odds of high well-being. Furthermore, well-being improves when young people have trusting and supportive relationships, as well as opportunities to spend time together.
Hull understood the importance of this issue for their care leavers, and saw well-being not as a luxury, but as something critical to the lives of their young people, who often have to navigate life without the safety nets many take for granted.
What did they do?
In response, Hull’s Care Leaver Hub, ‘Our Champions at Room 42’ organised a well-being walk called, ‘Room 42 – Out and About’. The idea was to bring together care leavers with professionals and go for a walk and talk.
The first walk took place in October 2025 and included a group of young people walking with housing staff, Social Prescribers, The Warren youth project and even a local Councillor.
The well-being walk fed directly into a guiding principle in Hull – that all activities, events and drop-in sessions should focus on developing connection and building relationships. This demonstrates the real essence of what Corporate Parenting is about. It shows those people working with and for care-experienced young people, what life is like, including both the positives and the struggles.
What impact did it have?
The well-being walks helped care leavers build trust with local authority staff and professionals from partner organisations. It offered opportunities to talk honestly and openly whilst enjoying nature. After the walk, care leavers shared that they felt seen, heard and valued by these professionals.
Hull are now encouraging other professionals and care leavers to join future walks, with more arranged to take place throughout 2026.