Need help? You're in the right place.
Whether it's housing, money, mental health, or you're just not sure — we'll help you find the right support. Some of it comes from us. The rest, we'll point you to.
How VFCC helps you
We're not just a signposting service. Here's what we offer directly to care experienced young people in Wales.
Wellbeing & Counselling
One-to-one wellbeing sessions and professional counselling. Someone to talk to when things get hard.
Peer Support Cafes
Meet other care experienced young people. We run cafes for students, parents, LGBTQ+ young people, neurodivergent people and Welsh speakers.
Advocacy & Participation
Have your say on the things that affect your life. We take your voice directly to politicians and decision-makers.
Sky's the Limit
Early intervention programme for ages 8–14. Building confidence, resilience and positive relationships through creative activities.
Want to access any of these? Email info@vfcc.org.uk or call in — 45 The Parade, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3AB.
Housing & Homelessness
Struggling with housing?
If you've been in care in Wales and you're between 18 and 20, you are priority need for housing. That means the council has a duty to help you. Even after 20, there's support available.
VFCC Direct
Your VFCC worker can help you understand your housing rights, talk to your local authority on your behalf, or help you find emergency accommodation if you need it. Get in touch with us first — we'll help you navigate it.
Organisations that can help
Shelter Cymru
Free, independent housing advice across Wales. Webchat available. They have a specific page for care leavers.
Llamau
Youth homelessness charity. Supported accommodation, early intervention, family mediation. Nearly 40 years working with young people in Wales.
akt
Support for LGBTQ+ young people aged 16–25 facing housing crisis. Emergency packs, mentoring, Purple Door safe accommodation. Cardiff office.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Need someone to talk to?
You don't have to be in crisis to ask for help. Whether you're feeling low, anxious, overwhelmed or just need someone to listen — there are people who get it.
VFCC Direct
We run nearly 1,000 wellbeing sessions a year, plus 100 counselling sessions. Our peer support cafes are a space to talk with other care experienced young people who understand. You don't need a referral — just get in touch.
Organisations that can help
C.A.L.L. Helpline
Wales' mental health listening line. Confidential emotional support and information about local services.
Meic
Helpline for everyone under 25 in Wales. Call, text or chat online — in English or Welsh. Whatever's on your mind.
Mind Cymru
Mental health information, advice and local support services across Wales.
Platfform
Over 100 mental health projects across Wales. Crisis prevention, counselling, wellbeing support. The Hangout drop-in in Cardiff is open daily.
Samaritans Cymru
Someone to listen, any time. Welsh language line available 7pm–11pm.
YoungMinds
Young people's mental health charity. Text the crisis line any time for free support.
Money, Benefits & Financial Support
Worried about money?
If you've been in care, there's financial support you're entitled to that a lot of people don't know about. Council tax exemption, grants for setting up home, emergency funds — it's worth checking what you can get.
VFCC Direct
Your VFCC worker can help you understand what you're entitled to and how to claim it. We can also help you talk to your Personal Advisor or local authority if things aren't working.
Organisations that can help
Advicelink Cymru
Free advice on benefits, debt, money and more. Funded by Welsh Government. Phone or online.
Discretionary Assistance Fund
Emergency financial help from Welsh Government. Grants for essentials when you're in urgent need. Usually processed within 24 hours.
Education & Training
Want to study or train?
Care leavers in Wales can access grants, bursaries and practical support that other students can't. University, college, apprenticeships — there's help to make it happen.
Organisations that can help
Student Finance Wales
Apply for grants, loans and bursaries for higher education. Dedicated support for care leavers.
Become (Propel)
Free one-to-one support for care leavers aged 16–27 going into further or higher education. Coaching, guidance, and someone in your corner.
Employment
Looking for work?
Finding your first job or getting back into work can be tough. Wales has free services specifically for young people that can help with CVs, interviews, training and job placements.
Organisations that can help
Working Wales
Free careers advice, CV help and training access. Your gateway to the Young Person's Guarantee — education, training, apprenticeship or job support for all 16–24 year olds.
Careers Wales
Face-to-face careers advice at centres across Wales. Help with job searching, skills assessment and next steps.
Jobs Growth Wales+
Training and employability programme for 16–19 year olds not in education, employment or training. Access through Working Wales.
Legal Rights & Advocacy
Know your rights
As a care leaver in Wales, you have legal rights to support. If you're not getting what you're entitled to, there are people who can speak up for you.
VFCC Direct
Advocacy is at the heart of what we do. We campaign for systemic change, take young people's voices directly to the Senedd, and can help you challenge decisions that affect your life. We also serve as secretariat for the Cross-Party Group on Children in Our Care.
Organisations that can help
Children's Commissioner for Wales
Speaks up for children and young people's rights in Wales. Can investigate complaints and covers care leavers up to 21 (25 if in education).
TGP Cymru
Independent advocacy and support for children and young people in Wales. They provide free, confidential help to make sure your rights are respected and your voice is heard.
Advicelink Cymru
Free legal, welfare, housing and debt advice. Funded by Welsh Government.
Health
Looking after your health
Everyone in Wales gets free prescriptions. Care leavers under 25 will soon get free dental and eye care too. Your Personal Advisor should help you register with a GP and dentist — if they haven't, ask them.
Organisations that can help
NHS 111 Wales
Health advice, help finding a GP or dentist, and urgent care guidance. Call or go online.
DAN 24/7
Wales' drug and alcohol helpline. Free, confidential, bilingual. Call, text or visit the website for local service information.
Relationships, Identity & Personal Support
Finding your people
Leaving care can be lonely. Whether you're looking for community, support with your identity, or just someone who gets where you've been — you're not on your own.
VFCC Direct
Our peer support cafes are built exactly for this. We run groups for LGBTQ+ young people, neurodivergent young people, Welsh speakers, care experienced parents and students. It's a space where you don't have to explain your background — people just get it.
Organisations that can help
Become
Free coaching for care experienced 16–27 year olds. Link-Ups community for connection. LGBTQ+ resources for care experienced people.
Rees Foundation
Lifelong support for care experienced people. Peer mentoring, life story work, wellbeing support. Registered in England, Wales and Scotland.
LGBT+ Cymru Helpline
Counselling, legal support and relationship mediation for LGBTQ+ people in Wales. Free or low-cost.
Emergency & Crisis
Crisis numbers
YoungMinds Crisis
Text YM to 85258 24/7Free crisis text support for young people
Not sure where to start?
Talk to us
Email us at info@vfcc.org.uk or drop by our office. We can help you figure out what support you need — no appointment necessary.
Last updated: March 2026