NHS: Belonging in White Corridors
In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes moves with quiet purpose. His polished footwear move with deliberate precision as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "how are you."
James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of belonging. It hangs against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the challenging road that preceded his arrival.
What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His presence gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort crafted intentionally for young people who have been through the care system.
"I found genuine support within the NHS structure," James explains, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. His remark captures the heart of a programme that aims to transform how the massive healthcare system approaches care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.
The figures paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience higher rates of mental health issues, financial instability, accommodation difficulties, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their peers. Underlying these cold statistics are human stories of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, often falls short in providing the supportive foundation that molds most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England's pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a significant change in organizational perspective.
In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes moves with quiet purpose. His polished footwear move with deliberate precision as he acknowledges colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "how are you."
James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as a security requirement but as a testament of belonging. It hangs against a neatly presented outfit that gives no indication of the challenging road that preceded his arrival.
What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His presence gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first participants of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an effort crafted intentionally for young people who have been through the care system.
"I found genuine support within the NHS structure," James explains, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. His remark captures the heart of a programme that aims to transform how the massive healthcare system approaches care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system.
The figures paint a stark picture. Care leavers commonly experience higher rates of mental health issues, financial instability, accommodation difficulties, and reduced scholarly attainment compared to their peers. Underlying these cold statistics are human stories of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, often falls short in providing the supportive foundation that molds most young lives.
The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England's pledge to the Care Leaver Covenant, embodies a significant change in organizational perspective.