You might be leaving care or have already left the care of Portsmouth City Council. We want you to feel safe and supported, and to know that we care about you. As you get ready to live on your own, we want to make sure you get the advice and help you need to do well and reach your goals.
Check out the local offer for care leavers in Portsmouth (PDF), which includes:
- relationships
- support if you are pregnant or a parent.
- your home
- health and wellbeing needs
- your money
- education, training and jobs
Connect activities
Free activities are approximately every 6 weeks usually during school holidays.
National Care Leavers Month - November 2026
National Care Leavers' Month 2026 takes place throughout November 2026, organised by organisations including Become Charity and the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum. This years' theme is "Leading the Way: From Experience to Empowerment." This theme highlights care experienced individuals as leaders in their own lives and drivers of change across the sector.
To kickstart the campaign, on Wednesday 28 October a 5-a-side football tournament is taking place at King George V Football Complex, 11am-2pm and is being organised in partnership with Powerleague, Hampshire FA, Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council care leaver teams.
Also taking place on Wednesday 28 October 2026 from 7-9.30pm at the Keppel's Head Hotel is the annual celebration event, a chance to enjoy a night of music and karaoke, photobooth to capture the fun with plenty of refreshments provided.
For more information email: careexperiencedduty@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or phone: 02392 834931
Big Summer BBQ
On Wednesday 12th August, some of our Care Experienced young people enjoyed a free BBQ near Canoe Lake, thanks to Balfour Beatty and in partnership with Southampton University, a small group were also involved in providing feedback about evidence informed Emotional Wellbeing toolkit
National Care Leavers Football tournament
On Friday 29 May 2026, nine young people attended the National Champions Cup for Care Experienced young people, a tournament held at MK Dons Stadium, competing against 33 teams.
The group performed to a high standard, narrowly missing progression from their stage on goal difference and ultimately reaching the semi-finals, where they were defeated in a sudden-death penalty shootout.
Despite two injuries during the group stages, the team demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and strong determination throughout
Future events
There are plans for a festive event to take place in December.
Discounted and free things to do
There is a selection of fantastic low cost or free events and activities available in and around Portsmouth, you can find out more on the council's dedicated page which is updated regularly.
There is also the Portsmouth leisure card which entitles you to discounts on everything from swimming to top attractions - See if you’re eligible for the Portsmouth leisure card
Helpful websites
Here are some websites with resources and advice:
- Portsmouth Family Hub is a ‘one stop shop’ in your community with information, free services, activities, and support for families with children up to age 25.
- Solent NHS Trust Sexual Health Service provides sexual and reproductive health services across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton.
- Drug and alcohol support service helps young people under 25 in Portsmouth who are using substances. The service is free and confidential.
- Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service supports people who have experienced sexual or domestic abuse or trauma.
- FRANK gives you information about drugs, their effects, and the law.
- Refugee Council is a charity that helps refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK.
- Migrant Help is a charity that supports people seeking asylum, refugees, and victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.
- Email the Early Help and Prevention Service’s LGBTQ Team supports young people exploring their gender identity or sexuality and their families.
- Care Leaver covenant is a national program that helps care leavers aged 16-25 live independently and find opportunities in five key areas.
- The Care Leaver Association is a charity that aims to improve the lives of care leavers of all ages.
- The Unite Foundation provides scholarships with rent-free, year-round housing at university, so you can go to university, stay there, and finish your course.
- National Network for the Education of Care Leavers is a charity dedicated to improving the educational outcomes of young people in care.