British philanthropist John Caudwell, who has pledged 70 percent of his wealth to charity during and after his lifetime, has undertaken another good cause and announces his latest charity, Caudwell Youth.
Caudwell Youth provides support for young people at-risk aged 11-24 years who typically have mental health needs, experience of the care system, are at risk of or who are offending and those at risk of or experiencing exploitation.
The charity’s goal is to ensure that these young people are empowered to shape their own futures threatened by poor access to statutory help, challenging home dynamics and poverty.
This highly complex area touches all aspects of society including local authorities, police, housing, schools, NHS, and family environments. All of these sectors are seeing shrinking budgets essential for the provision of support for those at-risk.
Caudwell Youth’s provision focuses on a two-year, 1-2-1 mentoring programme, using trained volunteers enabling them to reach those where shorter-term interventions are not enough.
Caudwell Youth currently works across Hertfordshire, Luton, Buckinghamshire, and Milton Keynes but aims to rapidly grow into a national charity to support young people’s lives and futures.
John Caudwell commented:
“At a time when the system is struggling, Caudwell Youth has been created so young people don’t have to. Young people are increasingly being let down by the system as preventative work is being side-lined caused by budgetary restraints. And with rapidly increasing waiting lists for the likes of mental health support, Caudwell Youth helps to bridge the gap when statutory bodies are overwhelmed.”
Charlie Dixon-Prior, Operations Director for Caudwell Youth, added: “With demand exploding, the charity sector is experiencing a crisis due to a lack of funding from statutory partners and individual giving collapsing. An investment of £5,000 a year in one young person sees society saving an estimated £50,000 per year for the long term. Scaling up, that is a cost of £5,000,000 for only 100 young people.
“John’s financial commitment provides Caudwell Youth with the stability that is needed, and usually inaccessible to charities, to enhance the charity’s impact.”
For more information on Caudwell Youth, please visit www.caudwellyouth.org.
