Transition and Leaving Care Hub (TLC)- Walsall
About the project
The Transition and Leaving Care Hub (TLC) is a vital space where personal advisers provide advice and support for care leavers. The hub also acts as a community meeting point, hosting social drop-ins, Care Leaver Group meetings, football training, and celebrating events. The hub’s outdoor garden, however, had fallen into disuse due to health and safety concerns, limiting access for both young people and staff.
The project, funded through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, a major government-funded initiative, has seen the garden completely refurbished to provide an accessible, safe, and welcoming outdoor space. The project also gave care-experienced young people the chance to take an active role in transforming a space they use and benefit from, helping them gain hands-on skills, confidence, and real-life work experience. The revamped area will allow children to play safely, host outdoor classes, and give care leavers a space to socialise and connect with the community.
The Project:
The project involved a full transformation of the TLC garden to create a functional, accessible, and inclusive outdoor space. Works include:
- Removing the existing bench area and installing a new seated area
- Re-bedding curbstones, making good and securing with postcrete
- Installing new picnic benches
- Adding anti-slip decking to improve accessibility for wheelchair users
- Removing old sleepers and replacing them with durable, safe alternatives
The young people:
- 11 local care experienced young people from TLC Hub and other local NEET/at risk young people took part in the VIY experience
- 100% reported improvements in hopes, aspirations, job confidence, physical health, wellbeing, and happiness
“I’m 19 and currently unemployed but looking for work and have used the Hub for a long time. I have learnt a lot while on the project including; angling cuts, PPE and building structures like benches, planters and ramps. The best part has been meeting new people and making new friends as well as learning new skills. Makes you want to get up in the morning and 100% recommend it to others.” – Jaiden, a VIY Learner and regular user of the TLC Hub
Accreditations gained:
- Entry Level 3 City & Guilds accreditations achieved
- Site Carpentry and Health & Safety in Places of Work
Alex, a care-experienced young person from the TLC Hub, had been out of education for several years and was initially reluctant to engage with opportunities.
At the start of the project, Alex was nervous and initially refused to enter the building without familiar staff. Despite this, he quickly built positive relationships with the VIY team and other participants.
Over the two-week project, Alex:
- Stayed fully engaged, often arriving early and leaving last
- Formed positive new relationships with other young people
- Discovered a talent for carpentry, sparking interest in longer-term training and career options
Where traditional education had struggled, VIY succeeded in capturing Alex’s interest and motivation. His placement support staff have also noticed improvements in his wellbeing, including better sleep, reduced dysregulation at home, and a healthier daily routine.
