About Us
What we do and why we do it
The Spark Foundation runs a small grants programme for young people up to the age of 26 who either are, or who have been, in care in England and Wales. The aim is to advance their education, vocational training or employability and enable them to have essential domestic items, facilities or equipment to live independently. The overall aim is to give this group the same chance as those who have not been in care.
Our roots lie in a children’s foundation founded in 2003 by Kent-based fostering agency ISP (Integrated Service Programme). By 2015 our success had grown and we relaunched as a registered charity in England and Wales as The Spark Foundation.
Since 2015 the number of applications we receive has grown year on year as knowledge of our grants has spread through England and Wales.
In the last ten years we have helped over 1,000 young care leavers through our grants.
The huge challenges that Care Leavers face
There are over 100,000 children and young people in care today in the UK. Most of them leave their foster/care homes at 18, much earlier than young people from non-care backgrounds.
‘At the age of 18, many care leavers have to manage running a home or tenancy for the first time, buying furniture, budgeting, and paying bills whilst also having to adapt to other important transitions, such as starting work, university or both; moving to a new place; and big changes in the type and amount of support they receive. As a result, most care leavers have more practical and financial responsibilities than their non-care experienced peers, from a much younger age, and without the same family support or safety net to fall back on if things go wrong.’
The shocking truth:
‘Young care leavers are nine times more likely to face homelessness than other young people.’
From the Become Charity report ‘Support every step of the way’ published October 2024 as part of the End the Care Cliff campaign
All about our People