Sometimes, it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference. 

Growing vegetables, cooking together and sharing recipes helped one young person build the confidence, routine and everyday skills he’ll take with him to university and into independent life. 

At our children’s homes, we’ve been encouraging young people to get involved in gardening. It’s a chance to spend time together, learn new skills and enjoy the wellbeing that comes from nurturing something as it grows. 

For one young person, it also brought back happy memories. As a child, he had gardened with his grandparents before later continuing this with his foster parents. So, when the opportunity came to get involved at his St Christopher’s home and help build a greenhouse and plant seeds, he was eager to roll up his sleeves. 

Then a storm hit. 

Staff feared everything in the greenhouse had been destroyed. But against the odds, two tomato plants survived. 

He was determined to help them thrive. 

Caring for the plants became part of his daily routine. At a time when he was struggling with motivation, watering and tending to the tomatoes gave him a reason to get up each morning. That sense of purpose helped him build a routine ahead of his next exciting chapter: starting university this autumn to study robotics. 

He’ll be one of just a small number of care-experienced young people heading to university. Less than a quarter progress to higher education by age 19, compared with almost half of their peers. Every young person who reaches this milestone is a reminder of what’s possible when they’re given the right support to build confidence, independence and believe in themselves. 

The tomatoes didn’t just stay in the greenhouse. They made their way into the kitchen too. 

Growing food opened the door to cooking together, creating natural opportunities for conversation, laughter and learning. He even used his home-grown tomatoes to make spaghetti bolognese, building practical skills and confidence for independent living. 

One member of staff said: 

“Cooking together allowed us to chat without it being intense, and we were able to get to know each other. I made him his own recipe book with all the recipes we’d cooked together for him to take to university. He was so happy.” 

It’s these everyday moments that can make all the difference. 

With the right support, a tomato plant can become much more than a tomato plant. It can become confidence. Routine. Independence. And the belief that, even after life’s storms, it’s possible to grow. 

Thanks to the support of people like you, more young people can build the confidence, skills and relationships they need to create brighter futures. 

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