New hub for care leavers in Stockton-on-Tees Borough opens its doors

A "fantastic" one-stop-shop for care leavers across the Stockton-on-Tees Borough has officially opened.

The No Limits Hub provides a central space where care leavers can drop in to relax and get advice, guidance and support.

The Hub's opening comes as Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council marks National Care Leavers' Month to shine a light on care leavers, celebrate their achievements and raise awareness of some of the challenges they face.

Care leavers can benefit from a welcoming space thanks to the No Limits Hub, which will offer life skills such as cooking classes and information on employment and training.

And it arrives following on from the pledge from the Council for care leavers to receive an improved offer of additional, personalised support, which was approved last year.

"The Council has a commitment for us all to be a good 'corporate parent' and have the same aspirations and support for care experienced young people as we would for our own children," said the Council's Leader, Councillor Lisa Evans.

She continued: "And we're immensely proud of our track record of supporting care leavers around the area, who can have a particularly daunting time when making the transition into adulthood. The new No Limits Hub is a fantastic addition.

"Throughout Care Leavers' Month, we want to shine a light on our care leavers - starting with the very start of the month when landmarks around the Borough were lit up in pale blue as part of our memorial lighting scheme.

"It's also a month of celebration, including a life skills graduation event for our care leavers and an award ceremony to mark the many achievements of our care experienced young people.

"Ultimately, ensuring each care leaver has a bright future is what we strive towards and I am just so proud of all children and young adults who have left our care."

As part of Care Leavers' Month, a pop-up shop will be arriving at Wellington Square where care leavers will be selling homemade Christmas crafts.

The pop-up shop will be there on November 12, 13, 18 and 19 from 10am until 4pm.

Finally, make sure to keep an eye out for details of 'Tees Pass', a bus pass for care leavers, which is being launched by Tees Valley Combined Authority later this month.

For more information, you can visit the dedicated care leavers webpage.