Opportunities to connect with your community, celebrate milestones, and get involved in positive activities.
On this page
- Feeling part of your community
- Have your say
- Getting all your important documents together
- Having fun, trying new things and meeting new people
- Volunteering
- Free leisure facilities
Feeling part of your community
The Leaving Care Service wants every young person to feel part of their community and wider society. Support is available to help care leavers access the same opportunities as other young people, build positive connections, and get involved in ways that matter to them.
The Leaving Care Service also helps care leavers celebrate important life events, and faith and cultural occasions. This may include support to mark birthdays, stay connected over Christmas, or maintain and explore faith and ethnicity networks.
Having your say
Care leavers can get involved in improving and designing services by joining Nottinghamshire’s Children in Care Council. The council listens to the views of children in care and care leavers and works to make services better.
Taking part in this group can be a life-changing experience. Care leavers have gained confidence, made new friends, built useful life skills, and even improved their job opportunities.
If you are interested, speak to your personal adviser or contact the Participation Team:
Telephone: 01623 626 972
Email: YouthService.BusinessSupport@nottscc.gov.uk
Getting all your important documents together
To live independently, you will need essential identity documents. The Care Leavers Team can support you with this and cover any associated fees.
Important documents include:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- National Insurance number
- Young person’s citizen card
- Deed poll (if you want to change your name)
- Bank account details
Speak to your personal adviser when you are ready to start this process.
Having fun, trying new things and meeting new people
It’s important to have time to relax, try new things and connect with others. The Care Leavers Team can support you to get involved in activities that match your interests.
If you live in supported housing, there may be a range of leisure activities you can join. These could include:
- Sports and fitness sessions
- Adventure activities and day trips
- Art, craft, nature or gardening clubs
- User forums and volunteering opportunities
Speak to your housing support worker, key worker or personal adviser if you’d like to take part.
Nottinghamshire Youth Service provides social and educational activities for care leavers up to the age of 22. These are designed to help build confidence, skills and experience in a safe and enjoyable environment.
You can access these for free with a Platinum Card, which gives Nottinghamshire care leavers free entry to council youth clubs and activities.
To find out more, contact the Participation Team:
- Telephone: 01623 626972
- Email: YouthService.BusinessSupport@nottscc.gov.uk
You can also search for local activities on the Notts Help Yourself website. Your personal adviser can help you with this and may be able to support the cost of any groups or clubs you would like to attend.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to get out of the house, meet people and try new things. It can help build your confidence, self-esteem and skills, making it easier to get into work or education.
You can gain valuable skills such as:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Decision-making
Volunteering can also give you a sense of purpose and help you make a positive difference in your community.
One option is to join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Volunteering is one of four parts of the programme, which includes new activities, challenges and opportunities to travel and meet other young people. It’s free for Nottinghamshire care leavers.
To register or find out more:
- Visit the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website
- Telephone: 01623 556110
- Email: DukeofEdinburgh@nottscc.gov.uk
Your personal adviser can help you sign up or tell you about other awards and competitions you can take part in.
Local volunteering opportunities
You can find local volunteering roles through your local CVS (Community and Voluntary Service). Contact them directly:
Ashfield Voluntary Action
Telephone: 01623 555551
Website: Ashfield Voluntary Action
Bassetlaw CVS
Telephone: 01909 476118
Website: Bassetlaw CVS
Voluntary Action Broxtowe
Telephone: 0115 917 8080
Website: Voluntary Action Broxtowe
Mansfield CVS
Telephone: 01623 392444
Website: Mansfield CVS
Newark & Sherwood CVS
Telephone: 01636 679539
Website: Newark & Sherwood CVS
Rushcliffe CVS
Telephone: 0115 969 9060
Website: Rushcliffe CVS
National volunteering sites
If you want to explore volunteering opportunities beyond Nottinghamshire, try these sites:
Free leisure facilities
Care leavers aged 18 to 25 in Nottinghamshire can get free annual membership to a local leisure centre. This is offered in partnership with Nottinghamshire’s seven district councils.
The membership includes free access to:
- gym facilities
- swimming sessions
- fitness classes included in the centre’s membership package
You can use these during both peak and off-peak hours. The membership is renewed every year until your 25th birthday and is valid for council-run leisure centres in your local district (Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Broxtowe, Gedling, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, or Rushcliffe).
To apply:
- If you're under 21, contact your personal adviser.
- If you're aged 21 to 24, contact the 21Plus Team on 0115 804 4154 or email 21Plus@nottscc.gov.uk.