Here in the New Forest, we meet young people every day who are preparing to leave care at just 18. Many will step into adulthood without the family network, financial safety nets, or emotional support that most of us rely on. Yet despite this, care leavers under 25 receive a lower rate of Universal Credit than older adults. It is a gap that makes an already difficult transition even harder.
At Step by Step, your local youth homelessness charity, we believe that care leavers deserve fair financial support from the moment they begin living independently. Last year, we worked with young people and researchers at the University of Southampton to explore what would truly help care leavers thrive. Together, we identified four essentials: fairer financial support, better access to housing, consistent emotional and practical guidance, and clear information early enough for young people to prepare.
These findings have helped shape our campaigning work, which is now gaining attention nationally. A Private Member’s Bill to introduce Universal Credit parity for care leavers has already passed through the House of Lords and now awaits debate in the House of Commons.
To bring these issues to life, we recently released 18 Isn’t Cheaper, a short film sharing the voices of local care leavers, Supported Lodgings hosts, and a local MP. In the film, two of our Supported Lodgings hosts share their own experiences, including the impact they see when young people are pushed into independence before they’re ready due to the lack of financial parity. Their voices offer an honest picture of why stable homes and steady guidance matter so much. The film highlights the real pressures young people face when they must navigate adulthood alone.
As we push for national change, we’re also reaching out to our own community here in The New Forest. You can offer something no policy ever could: stability, belief, and a safe place for a young person to grow.
Many young people simply need a safe home and a trusted adult who believes in them. That is exactly what our Supported Lodgings hosts provide. If you have a spare room and a few hours a week to offer guidance, you could make an extraordinary difference to a young person who is working hard to build a stable future.
We provide full training, ongoing support, and a weekly allowance. You provide the welcome, encouragement, and belief that help a young person grow in confidence and independence.
If you have ever wondered whether you could help someone take their next step forward, now is a meaningful time to explore it.
Find out more about becoming a Supported Lodgings host:
www.stepbystep.org.uk/spare-room
Watch the film:
www.stepbystep.org.uk/sbs-in-action/driving-change/18-isnt-cheaper/
