Keep on Caring…

Matthew Taylor is one of the founders of Fairview Care & Support. When we lost Matt in 2023, we set a goal to develop an organisation in his name that continues supporting young people once they turn 18 and are no longer considered a “looked-after child“. We want Matthew’s name and legacy to live on through our work at the Matthew Taylor Foundation.

When young people in care reach 18 years of age, they are no longer legally considered as a 'looked-after' child and their placement in care comes to an end. However, transitioning from care to independence can be a difficult experience for many of them. Most of them feel unprepared and believe that they have left care too soon. This is often because the move out of care happens abruptly, and they are not ready for the sudden changes. Even those who feel that they left care at the right time, not all of them feel that they have the necessary skills to live independently.

Many care leavers felt ‘alone’ or ‘isolated’ when they left care and did not know where to get help with their mental health or emotional well-being. Many care leavers had no one they could talk to about how they were feeling or who would look out for them. A third of care leavers told us they did not know where to get help and support. For many, no plans had been made to support their mental health or emotional well-being when they left care. [1]

The foundation was established as a source of continuous support for young adults aged 18 to 25 who have experienced care. It offers a variety of financial and practical assistance, including supported housing, emergency beds, guidance on setting up a new home, maintaining a tenancy, education on taxes, help with obtaining a driver's license, and assistance with job applications.

In memory of Matthew Taylor