Care leavers selling homeware in Hyde to help young people create a home

A GROUP of care experienced young people have created a social enterprise company whose profits are helping other young people in care.

The homeware company called Senses of Home uses its profits to purchase bed linen to give to other care leavers moving into their own homes, including in Tameside.

They are hosting a stall at Hyde Market on 9 December where customers can buy their branded products in the knowledge that all the profits will go to support care leavers.

The company was created by 12 care experienced young people from House Projects across the UK, with support from community interest company Madlug and the Care Leavers National Movement (CLNM). The young people have driven the company from inception , all taking various roles and all making the key decisions as the company developed.

House Projects support care experienced young people when leaving care, moving into their own home and beyond.

One was recently launched in Tameside that is supporting young care leavers in developing life skills from property maintenance to cooking and financial management and providing them with a property to decorate, which then becomes their home.

As well as teaching practical skills, it also enables care experienced young people to create a community, providing friendship and emotional support and helping them to build resilience.

Tameside Council’s Deputy Executive Leader Councillor Bill Fairfoull, who has responsibility for Children and Families, said: “This is a fantastic business that is not only providing high quality products and helping young people learn and develop business skills but whose profits will benefit others in care.

“I hope that our residents will be able to support this great initiative by vising Hyde market on 9 December to buy some items if possible to help make it a success and to also hear their inspirational story.”