Our Story
The Why Not? Trust for Care Experienced Young People grew out of a successful initiative started by Care Visions Children’s Services in 2014. The Why Not? Trust was registered as a charity in its own right in 2018. We have continued to develop, break down barriers and keep relationships at the centre of all we do. We are determined to be led by the voice of experience and Keep the Promise.
Why Not? grew out of a recognition of the significance of relationships in enabling young people’s wellbeing and resilience, in preparation for and after they have moved on from care. When there was suspicion around the continuation of relationships Why Not? was developed to legitimise and protect the relationships. As the young people engaged in Why Not? became successful young adults we could see the impact of these positive relationships and wanted to ensure all young people who experienced care had the same opportunities. Every opportunity was taken to promote the importance and positive impact of relationships. We developed the Rights to Relationships Charter and we were heavily involved in the independant care review. We were delighted when the vision of continuing relationships was embedded through The Promise.
"The Why Not? Trust gives me opportunities that I would never have dreamed of doing." - Amber, Young Adult
Recognising that continuing relationships when moving on from care were now seen as important and the need for a third party to legitimise the relationships was no longer there, we looked to develop and support people with care experience at different points in their life, where young adults and research tell us change still needs to happen. As a charity we have adapted and have a stronger focus on supporting people with care experience as they become parents or become students. We want to offer the opportunity to have safe caring relationships at all transition points in life.
