Travel support given to Nottingham City Council care leavers

A pilot scheme starting this summer will provide care leavers with Robin Hood Network Cards, which allow access to any bus, tram and train operator within the Nottingham metropolitan area.

This trial, which it is hoped will run for two years, will form part of the council’s wider ‘Local Offer’ for care experienced young people, providing support with accommodation, employment, education and training, health and wellbeing, relationships and participation in society.

Funding has come through the Bus Service Improvement Plan – a grant from central Government to improve bus services across the city region.

Coun Cheryl Barnard, who represents Bulwell Forest on Nottingham Council, said: “This scheme demonstrates the council’s commitment to treating care experience as a protected characteristic.

"We have a corporate parental duty to these young people – not just when they are under our care – but moving forward, to ensure they get the best start as they transition to independence.

"Freedom to travel not only opens up opportunities but is hugely beneficial to social and emotional health.”

Terry Galloway, care leaver local officer and managing director at Norman Galloway Homes, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing how it (the scheme) impacts care leavers’ health and wellbeing and then translating that into hard cash savings for agencies such as the NHS, Justice and DWP. My hope is other organisations will tip into the pot because they see the fiscal, social and economic benefit of doing more for care leavers.”