Barnardo’s takes centre stage at Leeds Rhinos Super League Clash to highlight urgent need for national plan for care leavers

A week ago, children’s charity Barnardo’s was given centre stage for the Leeds Rhinos’ Super League match against Warrington Wolves with a show of support from charity partner Leeds Building Society.

As part of the charity takeover day, Leeds Building Society donated its usual advertising space and shirt sponsorship for the game to Barnardo’s.

Matchday tickets were also donated to children and families supported locally by Barnardo’s, giving them a chance to enjoy the thrill and excitement of a live rugby match, as they watched the Rhinos storm to a 36-12 victory.

Limited-edition Barnardo’s-branded shirts worn by Rhinos players during the game are also to be auctioned off, with all proceeds going directly towards Barnardo’s services.

The charity partnership is designed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by young people leaving the care system. Young people who have grown up in foster care or a residential care home are much more likely to struggle in adulthood, with young care leavers more likely to be homeless, have poor health and be unemployed than other young people.

The partnership aims to shine a light on Barnardo’s and Leeds Building Society’s ongoing work to help these young people build brighter futures. Barnardo’s has a long history of supporting young people when they first leave care and knows the challenges these young people face.

That is why we are calling on the government to increase the support available to these young people, including offering free bus passes and access to rent deposits and guarantors to help them as they make the difficult transition to adult life.

Leeds Building Society is aiming to fundraise £300k within three years to support Barnardo’s work.

Lynn Perry, Chief Executive of Barnardo’s said: “It was a pleasure to attend this weekend’s game and to share the voices of young people leaving the care system with such a large audience. We are extremely grateful to Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Building Society for the opportunity to use this platform.

“Parenting doesn’t end when a child turns 18, and for young people in the care of the state, our responsibilities cannot end there either. This is especially important when we know that one in three care leavers become homeless in the first two years after they leave care.

“We want to see the introduction of a national offer of support for young people leaving foster care and children’s homes, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Too often the support that a young person receives when they first leave care depends on where they live and not what they need. We and our partners will continue to raise awareness of the needs of young people leaving care and what needs to be done to make sure all young people have access to the bright future they deserve.” 

Nikki Dixon, Director of Brand and Marketing at Leeds Building Society, said: “We’re proud to be backing Barnardo’s through our long-standing partnership with Leeds Rhinos. Young people with experience of the care system are some of the most vulnerable in our communities and it’s so important that we highlight the challenges that they face.

“Our relationship with Leeds Rhinos has always been built on shared values and it’s a privilege to be able to use this platform to fundraise for Barnardo’s and make a positive difference where it’s needed most.”