A BROMSGROVE charity has celebrated its first anniversary, having provided people who have been in foster or residential care with valuable support for the last 12 months.
The Rees Foundation was launched during the 2014 National Care-Leaver’s Week and has since connected with 70 people with care experience, as well as the many professionals that provide essential support, relationship, training and opportunities.
It also piloted a crowdfunding drive to lift care leavers out of the poverty trap, provided crisis funding to several care leaders in desperate need and supported a team of fund-raisers on a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro.
The main aim of the Rees Foundation was to create an organisation to address the lifelong needs of those who have been in care because many of the existing services for care-leavers can only be accessed to a certain age.
The organisation strives to not only help those who have been through the care system to survive, but also to help the thrive at whatever stage of their life they are at.
Sarah Milan, The Rees Foundation’s director, said: “We’re very proud of all we’ve achieved in our first year, and grateful for the support that has enabled this.
“What is apparent is there is real potential for the care experienced community to be strengthened with the right support.
“We look forward to continuing to make connections with the care experienced community and with other professionals, growing our services to both.”
Visit www.reesfoundation.org for more on the charity, how to get involved as a volunteer and how to access its services.
