Dissemination of Opportunities for Care Leavers - Reflections from the Ground

In the last two years, my journey as a Care Leavers Engagement Coordinator has been nothing short of transformative. It has taken me across conversations, across cities, and across stories of resilience, silence, and untapped potential. It has also taken me deeper into the undercurrents of a powerful question: “How many care leavers truly know what support exists for them, and how many of us genuinely care to ensure they understand and access it?”

As someone who works closely with care leavers, not just from a professional lens but also from lived experience, I have come to realize that dissemination is not just about sharing information. It is about reaching, connecting, and empowering. And there lies a huge difference between passing on a flyer and opening up a world of possibility for a young adult who has left care.

What I have experienced & observed

When I began engaging with care leaver networks, organizations, and resource providers at the local, national, and international levels, I was amazed by the volume of support systems that already exist. From scholarships to psychosocial counselling, skill-building workshops to leadership opportunities, and from policy consultations to peer networks the list is long and significant. But the longer I stayed in the field, the more I started seeing a different picture. A more sobering one.

Too many care leavers do not know about these opportunities. Even those who do, often don't understand how to access them. There are multiple barriers-language, digital divide, mistrust in the system, limited literacy, past trauma, and sometimes, simply fatigue from struggling to survive. In my direct work with care leavers, I have experienced three major learning points

1. Awareness ≠ Understanding

Just because a message has reached someone doesn't mean it has been understood. Many times, care leavers receive WhatsApp forwards, see posters, or hear about programs, but they don’t know what it really means for them. A scholarship program might sound alien if it’s filled with jargon. A mental health support service might be rejected if it isn't explained with empathy. The dissemination must match the cognitive and emotional context of the care leaver.

2. Information ≠ Access

Even if someone knows about a resource, they may not have the means to access it. For instance, a job fair happening in another city means nothing to a young person who can’t afford the bus fare or doesn’t know how to fill out an application form. I have seen youth give up halfway because no one walked them through the process. Dissemination must include guidance and follow-up, not just direction.

3. Dissemination ≠ Inclusion

Many resource-sharing efforts unintentionally exclude the most vulnerable those with limited digital access, those who are differently-abled, those in remote areas, and those with language barriers. If care leavers are not part of the planning and delivery of dissemination strategies, the process itself becomes another gatekeeping mechanism.

Do We Truly Care?

Now the question is not just about what is available. It’s about how it is shared and why we do what we do. I have often wondered, in team meetings and workshops, how many of us are truly interested in making sure care leavers understand and access the support. It is easy to post links and updates in groups. It is harder to call someone and explain the meaning of a government scheme. It is easy to tag care leavers in announcements. It takes more intention to sit with someone and help them apply.

It is not just about information; it is about translating hope into action. When dissemination becomes transactional, care leavers are left behind. But when it becomes relational rooted in empathy, care, and consistency it creates real change.

So, What Can Be Done?

The responsibility does not fall on one organization or one person. It is a collective journey. And in this journey, I believe we can do much better if we build a system that is:

• Accessible
• Inclusive
• Actionable
• Sustained

Let me share some practical directions based on what I’ve learned

1. Leverage Technology Mindfully

Yes, we live in a digital world, but care leavers live with digital disparities. Many lack smartphones, stable internet, or digital literacy. So, while using tech platforms is important, they must be used in a way that includes rather than isolates. Create voice-based messages in local languages. Use video explainers instead of PDFs. Build WhatsApp bots for instant responses. Create simple, step-by-step reels and stories on Instagram that explain how to apply for a course, or contact a helpline. Technology should serve care leavers, not replace human interaction.

2. Decentralize and Localize Information Sharing

Every state, every district, and even every city has different care leaver contexts. What works in one region may not work in another. Local volunteers and care leaver advocates can play a key role in tailoring messages and walking the last mile. Build peer ambassador programs. Create micro-hubs of care leavers trained in disseminating local resources. Use community radio, local newspapers, or even street plays for areas with limited online reach.

3. Build Feedback Loops

One-way communication doesn’t work. We need to know what works, what doesn’t, and why. Care leavers should be consulted on the format, tone, and timing of dissemination. And their feedback should be valued. Conduct simple surveys asking care leavers: “What resources do you need?” and “How do you want to receive them?” Create focus groups with care leavers from diverse backgrounds. Make feedback anonymous and easy.

4. Humanise the Information

When care leavers hear from other care leavers real stories, real impact it builds trust. A short testimonial video or even a voice note of someone saying, “I got this internship, and here’s how it changed my life,” is more powerful than a poster. Collect and share lived experiences. Pair care leavers who have availed opportunities with those who are trying to. Use storytelling as a tool for dissemination.

5. Advocacy Must Be Continuous, Creative, and Collaborative

Advocacy should not be an annual campaign; it must be ongoing. And it should not be confined to boardrooms. It must be creative using art, music, theatre, blogs and collaborative bringing care leavers, professionals, and policymakers together.

We should ask:

• Are we reaching out to those who are not on digital platforms? 
• Are we engaging people who can influence policy?
• Are we presenting care leaver voices in formats that catch public and political attention?

A Call for Collective Action

Dissemination is not just a technical act, it is a moral commitment. When we say we work for care leavers, we must be willing to walk with them, from awareness to action. We need to go beyond sending information and start sending invitations, an invitation to grow, to heal, to thrive and for that, we need to pause and ask ourselves: Are we reaching the ones who need it the most? Are we speaking in a language they understand? Are we showing up when they are confused, scared, or unsure?

If not, then we must change. Let us build platforms that don't just inform, but transform. Let us use technology to connect, not just broadcast. Let us create networks of trust, not just chains of emails. Let us make dissemination a form of care, not just a task.

Together, we can ensure that every care leaver not only hears about the opportunities out there but also feels empowered enough to claim them.

Prince, a care leaver from Uttar Pradesh- India, aged out at 18 with dreams of joining the hotel industry. He wanted to continue his studies while working, but lacked awareness about aftercare support or where to begin. With no guidance, he took up a low-paying job and felt stuck. Months later, a local NGO found him during outreach, helped him apply for aftercare, and supported his admission into a hospitality course with a part-time job. Through a care leavers network, he gained confidence, peer support, and vital information. It showed that inclusion and timely information can transform isolation into opportunity.

When one of us soars, we LIFT the others with us