Cocoon, Care After Care
We provide financial and practical support to care experienced young adults across Hounslow, Richmond and Kingston boroughs. We also host the annual Cocoon Christmas Day event.
Our Story
We started as a voluntary community group that came together in 2017 to host a Christmas Day event for care leavers. After five successful years hosting up to 60 guests who would otherwise have spent the day alone, we knew we could do more to support these amazing young adults.
The generosity of the local community and beyond has been phenomenal. It has not only enabled us to put on a magical Christmas Day Dinner every year, but to become available year round for care leavers to turn to, in the same way that many non-care experienced young adults would turn to family.
We registered as a charity, Cocoon - Care After Care in early 2022 and are run by volunteers, including those with care experience themselves, who are committed to improving the lives of care leavers.
How we help
We provide financial support and practical assistance to improve living conditions, support aspirations, reduce feelings of isolation, alleviate hardship and to navigate through everyday stresses and strains. We connect with individuals and businesses who have something to contribute.
So far this year we have been able to fund driving lessons and A-Level tutoring, replace broken appliances, furnish flats, provide flooring, carry out home repairs and garden maintenance, pay for vocational courses, equipment for studies and bikes to travel to college. We have supported care leavers to access health and well-being services and assisted young parents with getting what they need for their children – from pushchairs to swimming lessons.
I cannot be more thankful for this charity as it has already made a life difference to two of my young people. Care Leavers need the financial support to enable them to start and pursue their life goals.
~Support Worker