The council has launched a hub in Bury town centre to provide support to young people leaving care.

Bury Care Leavers Hub on Knowsley Street was opened on Monday, October 28 and will provide a range of services including education and life skills.

Young people chose the colour scheme for the newly decorated hub, which offers food parcels and other essentials if needed.

The new space also hosts education, health, emotional well-being support and groups such as the Care Leavers Forum.

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The launch coincided with National Care Leavers Week, which runs until Sunday, November 3, and celebrates care leavers while raising awareness of issues around the care system.

A council spokesperson said: “As corporate parents, we all have a responsibility to make sure our vulnerable young people are supported as they move into adulthood and they have the best life chances.

“When considering our council procedures and service provision we give consideration to how these impact care experienced children and care leavers.

“We work to support our young people to be successful, part of our community, to thrive and know there is someone there when they need our help.

“Our cared for young people have experienced many challenges and often trauma in their childhood and adolescent years and have been supported by children’s social care.”

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The hub is staffed Monday to Friday by personal advisors who are also on call at weekends to provide any support that might be needed in emergencies.

Cllr Lucy Smith, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Growing up can be a difficult time in the best of circumstances but for our care experienced children, it can be even harder.

“Our care leavers hub is an important part of the support we provide as our care experienced young people become young adults.

"The difficulties they face growing up with education, employment, homelessness, mental health and well-being are challenges that they need support.

“The council is supporting around 276 care leavers at this time and it’s important that their voice is heard.

"We have worked with them to design the hub around their needs.

“We all have a responsibility to make sure our vulnerable young people are supported as they move into adulthood and they have the best life chances.”

The council has also hosted several activities and events throughout the awareness week including a session about alcohol and substance misuse, a spooky Halloween day with pumpkin carving and ghoulish games and a cooking on a budget session.