Too many care-experienced young people face unecessary barriers on their journey to independent adulthood.
Leaving care should be the beginning of a young person's future, not the point where support falls away.
For too many, the transition to adulthood comes without the safety net, guidance and practical preparation that other young people take for granted.
From managing money and finding work, to looking after their health, building relationships and creating a safe home, the consequences of not being prepared can be life-changing.
That's why Get Life Ready exists.
We believe preparation should start before independence, not after a young person is already struggling.
Not in education, employment
or training
People in prison have been in care
Our Journey.
Get Life Ready was created from lived experience of the care system and our experience as foster carers.
We saw a gap between supporting young people through care and preparing them for what comes next. Adulthood brings huge expectations, often without the safety net many others take for granted.
GLR exists to help bridge that gap, giving young people the practical skills, knowledge and confidence to face their future.
Not just ready to leave care.
Ready for life.
Built from lived experience.
Created to change what comes next.
“You have to reach back out and find the potential, see the kid who wants to do great things that don’t have the resources and opportunities and point them in the right directions.”
“I remember how it felt to be passed off and overlooked. Like nobody knew me or wanted to know me. Like my talents didn’t count, and my voice didn’t matter.”
Simone Biles
Olympic Champion
Care Experienced
Michael Oher
American Footballer
Care Experienced
Experience homelessness
Five pillars. One purpose. A future they're ready for.
A practical, structured programme designed to build the skills, knowledge and confidence young people need for greater independence.
The GLR Independence Framework
Preparing for adulthood,
together.
The GLR Independence Framework isn't delivered in isolation. We work alongside the people who know and support each young person, creating a collaborative approach to their journey towards independence.
Building the foundations
for independence.
The five pillars focus on the areas of life that matter most as a young person prepares for adulthood.
From managing money and exploring careers to finding a home, building healthy relationships and looking after their wellbeing, each pillar develops practical skills, knowledge and confidence for life beyond care.
Because being ready for adulthood takes more than
just one thing.
Recognised Learning.
Real-Life Progress.
Get Life Ready is proud to be an ASDAN Learning Centre.
This means the practical skills young people develop through our
programmes can become more than just valuable life experience.
They can contribute towards recognised learning and achievement.
Approved Learning Centre
REAL SKILLS
Money • Careers • Health
Home • Relationships
MEANINGFUL EVIDENCE
Young people build a portfolio that demonstrates their progress and achievements.
RECOGNISED ACHIEVEMENT
ASDAN provides a structured framework through which learning can be recognised and celebrated.
We don't just prepare young people for adulthood.
We help them prove how far they've come.
The goal isn't simply to complete a programme.
It's for every young person to finish their GLR journey feeling more confident about themselves, more capable of making their own decisions and more prepared for adulthood.
Not just knowing more.
Feeling ready.
"I can definitely
do this!"
Greater confidence in
themselves and their abilities.
Their goals feel achievable.
"I know where
I'm going"
Clearer choices, stronger
decicision making and a
positive plan for the future.
"I'm ready
for what comes next"
Practical skills, real-world
experience and the confidence
to take their next steps.
"GLR helped me get started with my dream career. They believed in me."
Young person supported by Get Life Ready
More confident.
More capable.
More prepared.
Meet the
Founders.
Two foster carers. Different experiences.
One shared purpose.
Dave Smith
Charlie Smith
CO-FOUNDER
Care-Experienced | Foster Carer | Father
Financial Adviser | Football Coach
I know first-hand the challenges young people face when leaving care. As a foster carer, father and financial adviser, I'm passionate about giving them the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to build a positive future.
CO-FOUNDER
Foster Carer | Grew up in a fostering family
Father | Business owner in financial services
I grew up in a fostering family, so I've seen first-hand the impact the right support and opportunities can have. As a foster carer and business owner in financial services, I'm committed to creating practical, real-world support that helps young people build the skills, resillience and confidence they need for adult life.
Two different journeys.
One shared belief in what young people can become.
Working together.
For better futures.
We're proud to work alongside organisations that share our commitment to helping care-experienced
young people build the skills, confidence and opportunities they need for the future.
WORKING WITH
WORKING WITH
WORKING WITH
APPROVED LEARNING CENTRE
Better outcomes happen when we work together.
Supporting our
local community.
We're proud to support local initiatives and causes that make a real
difference to children, young people and families in our community.
Proud sponsors of
Rowhedge Juniors FC
U11 Blues
We're proud to sponsor Rowhedge Juniors FC, supporting local grassroots football and the development of young players in our community. Grassroots sport plays a vital role in building confidence, teamwork and life skills.
Proud supporters of
All for Alfie
We were honoured to sponsor the recent All for Alfie family event, helping to raise funds to support Alfie on his journey. It was an incredible day and a fantastic example of our local community coming together.
Let's work
together.
And help more young
people get life ready.
Whether you're a foster carer, fostering agency, local authority, organisation that shares our values, or someone interested in becoming a future GLR Mentor, we'd love to hear from you.
