Care Home 8-18 year olds

Aim: To fund the set up of a young persons care home ran with therapy in mind by people with lived experience of the care system

Future First: Born from Experience, Driven by Purpose

Future First emerged from profound personal understanding. Our founders didn’t just study the care system they lived it. They experienced the instability of constant moves, the weight of feeling unheard, and the unique challenges that shape young lives without stable family support. This lived experience became the foundation of everything we do.

Our Why

We started Future First because we understand what missing support feels like. Children in care deserve more than basic services and systems they need genuine relationships, consistent advocacy, and environments where they are truly valued. We’re here to provide the care we needed but didn’t always receive, transforming personal experience into purposeful action.

This isn’t just our profession; it’s our calling.

What We Do

Future First creates supported accommodation that genuinely feels like home for young people aged 8-18. Our environments are safe, inclusive, and staffed by professionals who understand that healing happens through relationship. We specialise in supporting children who have experienced trauma and instability, working patiently to rebuild trust and security.

Our support is relational, not transactional. We show up consistently with compassion, meeting each young person where they are.

How We Work

We operate through a trauma-informed lens using the PACE model: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy. These principles shape every interaction, from how we build connections to how we respond to challenging behaviors and support emotional resilience.

Every child brings a unique story. Our approach flexes to honor individual needs while maintaining consistent care standards.

Addressing the Bigger Picture

We recognise that children in care face systemic inequalities from educational barriers and housing instability to increased mental health risks and criminal justice involvement. Too often, the care system perpetuates rather than closes these gaps.

Future First actively challenges these outcomes. We don’t accept that being in care should limit a young person’s potential.

Our Comprehensive Approach

Housing is just the beginning. We partner with local authorities, schools, and community professionals to create wraparound support including key working, life skills development, mentoring, and community engagement. Our goal is transformation every young person should leave our care more confident, capable, and connected than when they arrived.

Empowerment and Voice

Young people aren’t just residents in our homes they’re valued members with agency. From daily routines to space design, we prioritize participation and choice. Their voices matter in shaping their own environment and experience.

Our Standard

Future First was built on the conviction that care should exceed minimum requirements. Every decision, policy, and moment of support puts young people first. We remember what it felt like to be on the other side, hoping someone would truly listen and understand.

That memory drives everything we do.

Our Mission

This work transcends employment it’s our mission to create the care we needed while growing up. We refuse to let any child merely survive when they could thrive. We’re here to ensure every young person feels seen, heard, and supported to reach their full potential.

Because every child deserves more than just getting by. They deserve to flourish.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 22nd September 2025 at 2:33pm