Growing Roots

Working with young people, the Roots team developed a range of activities – including counselling, mentoring, workshops and drop-in events – to give those in care or leaving care positive experiences, practical skills and a community of unconditional love and support to carry with them to becoming confident and resilient adults.

Since its inception, Roots has grown from strength to strength. In 2017, Roots was honoured to be awarded a brand-new 350sqm purpose-built support centre by Children in Need and DIY SOS The Big Build. The centre has allowed us to increase our provision to young people, enabling us to run regular activities such as cooking workshops, individual counselling, peer support groups, and much more.

Crucially, the building also includes three self-contained apartments that enable us to provide respite accommodation to young people leaving care, along with tailored support activities to help their transition, including independent living skills workshops.

In July 2022, we were proud to congratulate our founder, Emma Lewis on the award of her MBE in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee honours – in recognition of her outstanding work with The Roots Foundation Wales. Each year, the Roots Foundation Wales continues to support more than 250 children and young people in care and care leavers in the Swansea region, and to advocate nationally for those who are care experienced. Our focus remains on providing our young service users with the vital community of support and encouragement they need to grow.