Community Hubs

‘Community hubs’ is a pilot run in conjunction with Stockport Homes which
aims to help care leavers increase their network of support. feel more settled in
their neighbourhood & offset financial hardship. It links care leavers to ‘Local
pantry’, a community food schemes where they get free food and help from volunteers as well as opportunities to volunteer themselves.

Why?

When the Bright Spots survey was conducted 51% of Stockport’s care leavers felt settled in the neighbourhood where they lived. Although similar to care leavers nationally, Stockport wanted to improve this.

Like elsewhere, some care leavers also reported struggling financially. The leaving care team was concerned about the impact that the Government’s planned cut in Universal Credit would have on care leavers.

What?

• • The Local Pantry is a community food scheme staffed by volunteers and run by
    Stockport Homes, Stockport’s social housing provider.
    https://www.yourlocalpantry.co.uk/about-us/
  • The volunteers are able to offer advice on recipes and ideas on cooking. They
    also use their skills and contacts to link young people with other community
    resources, e.g. DIY support in the area.
  • There are opportunities for the young people to become volunteers themselves,
    with the aim of really establishing young people within their local communities.
  • Creating community hub pilot linked to the Local pantry was built into
    Stockport’s New Belongings action plan to improve the leaving care service and
    hopefully make young people feel more settled in their neighbourhoods
  • 75 care leavers living independently in Stockport were identified that could
    benefit from being linked into scheme. (Stockport has 37% care leavers living
    independently.)
  • The young people identified were offered the opportunity to be introduced to
    their Local Pantry by their Personal Advisor.
  • The leaving care service paid the £10 joining fee and the £3.50 weekly charge
    for each young person. An initial payment was made to cover the estimated
    costs for 6 months.
  • Regular review meetings are held between the Leaving Care Team and
    Stockport Homes to track the take up of the scheme and address any barriers
    or issues.
  • Each week the young people linked to the scheme can attend and select 10
    food items (worth approx. £20) as well as a choice of free fruit and vegetables.

What difference will it make?

It is hoped that the pilot will:

• • Increase the links young people have to their neighbourhood, helping them feel more settled and secure.
  • Help offset the loss of the £20 Universal Credit top up payment offered due to Covid19, which is being phased out.