AN AMBLESIDE youth charity has been boosted with a grant of £45,000 to scope the extension of its work with young people leaving the care of local authorities.

Brathay Trust will be using the money from the Life Chances Fund to look at how to deliver the 'Get Real' programme, which supports young care leavers to move towards employment, education or training, on a much larger scale.

The Life Chances Fund supports local public sector organisations to commission social impact bonds and other payment-by-results contracts involving 'socially-minded investors'.

The investment could result in a £1million contract over five years and benefit hundreds of young people across the north of England who are making the transition out of care.

Heather Dixon, Brathay’s finance director, said: "The Life Chances Fund means we can develop our evidence base further and make sure youngsters really benefit from the programme.

"Over the next few months we will be working closely with potential commissioners to ensure we are providing maximum help for young people who currently lack support in transitioning from care to independent living."

Weekly sessions delivered as part of the programme, which has been delivered in the Wirral for several years, focuses on raising aspirations, confidence and self-belief as well as increasing motivation and attainment.

Care leavers are also helped to recognise their strengths and skills and they are supported into education, employment and/or training.