NYAS launches fund to support young care leavers
Isobel Warner
Friday, January 14, 2022
Young people aged between 16 and 25 who have left local authority care can now access a grant of up to £500.
The Knapman Fund was launched by National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) and is open to any young people who have previously received support from NYAS.
The fund provides grants of up to £500 for young care leavers and allows them to put money towards initiatives or goods that will enable them to access education, find employment or support their independence.
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The fund aims to enhance future life chances of children leaving care, with 40 per cent of care leavers not in employment, education or training.
Children in care are expected to live independently from as young as 16, and often will not have the same access to financial and familial support as many others do at that age, NYAS said.
The Knapman Fund was created in memory of Trisha Knapman, NYAS’s first employee in 1985 who continued to work for NYAS for 35 years. She supported the work of NYAS until her death in 2021.
Her family said: “Trisha would be delighted that a legacy in her name has been established to support the young people that she cared for throughout her career in helping them make a significant step out of supported living as they move on with lives as young adults.
“As a mothering gift towards useful items and development to further individuals, this fund epitomises Trisha’s caring nature.”
Whilst not intended to replace any other types of financial support and services available to care leavers from statutory or voluntary organisations, NYAS hopes the Knapman Fund will help to fill a gap in support for care leavers.
Rita Waters, group chief executive officer of NYAS said: “NYAS believes that every young person who leaves care should have the same ‘life chances’ as their peers who are supported and living with their birth parents.
“This is why we’ve created the Knapman Fund in memory of Trisha Knapman, to provide funds to applicants where such provision is likely to contribute to individuals’ continued personal development and improve their quality of life in ways which are important to them.”
The Knapman Fund is now open for applications.
