A message from our CEO

Posted 9th July 2025

At NHP, we know from listening to young people that leaving care and moving into a place of your own is often exciting, but it can also be incredibly daunting. Whilst every young person’s journey is individual and unique, they report common themes that inform our framework and approach to easing those transitions and supporting young people as they settle into their communities. Underlying each of these themes is the importance and significance of relationships. Having strong, positive, and lasting connections is what supports every one of us when big changes are afoot. Young people tell us that the House Project approach helps significantly, but we should never underestimate the enormous challenges they face at such a critical time in their lives.

This reality was brought home to us recently with Sue’s decision to swap her working life at NHP for retirement caring for her new granddaughter two days a week. Even though Sue is fully in control of this decision-making process - something our young people often are not - the transition has still been discombobulating; letting go of something she enjoys and that has defined her, and moving on to something that will be incredibly rewarding and joyous. It all sounds brilliant, but this masks the loss, the familiarity, and the uncertainty that 'anchors' people. It reminds us that young people experience this 'liminal' space - between the old and the new - without the support networks that most of us take for granted. It reinforces why we must always honour the courage it takes for them to move forward, and ensure that our reporting recognises not just outcomes, but the individual commitment of young people and the ‘distance travelled’.

With this in mind, we’re proud to share our latest Annual Report, Impact Statement, and Infographic. These documents capture the continued collaboration between NHP, LHPs, young people, partners and funders. They also tell a broader story, one of success and celebration that feels especially poignant as we consider the legacy that Sue leaves behind and prepare to say goodbye (in her formal role) to our co-founder. Sue has been central to everything that’s good about NHP. Her work has embodied the core aims of the DfE’s Social Care Innovation Programme that provided the context to establish the Charity: improving life chances for care-experienced young people, sharing what works, and building evidence that leads to better practice. But what has always mattered more to Sue than any report or metric is relationships. Her unwavering belief in young people and her deep commitment to fostering connection - between young people, and between young people and staff - has shaped our culture and driven our success. Just last month, Sue and I visited Midlothian, where the LHP (established remotely during COVID) is now a vital part of the local authority offer. We saw young people confidently leading the way, sharing their experiences and insights with senior local and national leaders. It was clear: Sue’s legacy lives on, not only in what she has done but what she has created for the future, and not only in Midlothian but across the entire House Project community.

As we grow and evolve, we will carry forward the values Sue has instilled: a steadfast belief in young people, a deep understanding of the challenges they face, a commitment to relational practice. We will all miss Sue hugely and have so much to thank her for. As she transitions in to this new chapter and prioritises time with her family we wish the very best. And as she always reminds us ‘once you are a part of House Project, you are always part of House Project’. We know that we’ll see Sue around and if you don’t catch her at her leaving do she will be at Conference in December.