A youth charity based in the southwest of England has been handed £1.6m in funding through its local Combined Authority and the grant giver Youth Futures Foundation.

1625 Independent People has been given £875,000 from the Youth Futures Foundation and a further £730,000 from the West of England Combined Authority.

The money will be used to support more than 150 young care leavers to find work.

The move will see the charity work in partnership with council leaving care teams across the region, offering coaching, training and careers support.

“We are delighted to have received such significant support from the West of England Combined Authority and the Youth Futures Foundation,” said 1625 Independent People chief executive Dom Wood.

“Young people leaving care are hugely talented and we are determined that they can access jobs, education and training so they can succeed in life.”

He added: “This funding provides a huge opportunity to support more care leavers into employment and we will be working closely with employers, colleges, local authorities, the voluntary sector and training providers to ensure that opportunities are meaningful and supportive”.

Sam Bromiley, children and young people cabinet member for South Gloucestershire Council, one of the local authorities involved, said: “Through partnership working we are able to combine our resources and ensure that we’re giving care leavers the best possible opportunities as they begin their lives after care.”

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