Join us to access support and guidance on a variety of topics, including finance, budgeting, debt, housing, health and wellbeing, and more as you transition out of care. Let us be your digital mentor, available 24/7! Douglas.stringer@pathtoindependence.onmicrosoft.com
Our app provides comprehensive financial guidance to help care leavers manage their finances as they transition out of care. From budgeting tips and bill prioritisation to understanding the difference between debit and credit, we cover all the essentials. You'll also discover the benefits you're entitled to, strategies for boosting your income, and tips on avoiding debt. We empower young people to make informed choices and secure a stable financial future. The content is primarily delivered through video, making it engaging and easy for young people to learn and retain information. Additionally, the app includes essential life skills courses like the one below. Check it out for FREE and start building your financial confidence today!
Navigating housing options beyond 18 can be overwhelming for care leavers. Our platform provides resources and support to help them find safe, affordable housing, with most content delivered through engaging videos and interactive courses. Whether it’s renting, buying, or shared accommodation, we guide users through each step towards securing and managing a place they can call home. We’re proud to have partnered with Birmingham Children’s Trust, whose support has been invaluable in developing this fantastic app!
At The Path To Independence we prioritise the health and well-being of care leavers. Our app includes researched tools for managing life’s challenges as well as accessing further guidance when looking for more specialist support for navigating past trauma and promoting mental well-being and holistic wellness.
The Path to Independence is led by Dougie Stringer, who founded the company with a personal mission to help young people transition successfully out of care. Drawing from his own experiences growing up in foster care, Dougie has firsthand knowledge of the challenges care leavers face. With over a decade of experience in working in a care leavers service as a personal advisor and social worker and a background in residential care, he developed The Path to Independence App to support young people to thrive when reaching adulthood. The team includes Tom, a seasoned IT expert with nine years of experience, who brings technical leadership and project management skills to the table. Jane, with 35 years of experience in children’s social care, has held senior management roles and worked directly with young people in foster care, while also developing innovative strategies to support vulnerable children. Additionally, the technical development is powered by the founder of Pixebyte, with over two decades of experience building apps and enterprise-grade services. This diverse and experienced team brings together care, technical expertise, and leadership to make a meaningful impact.
Being in the 2024 Pro-Manchester Trailblazing Awards final is something we're extremely proud of! We've worked incredibly hard over the past couple of years, and being shortlisted as finalists is a recognition that not only have we come so far, but we're destined to go even further. Exciting times ahead!
I found the app incredibly helpful in managing my finances and finding suitable housing. It made my transition out of care much smoother.
