New IT suite opens at Russell House to empower care leavers in West Northamptonshire

07 August 2025

West Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire Children’s Trust are proud to announce the opening of a brand-new IT suite at Russell House, the central hub for the Care Leavers service. This vital addition will provide care leavers with enhanced access to digital resources, supporting their continued education, skills development, and employment opportunities.

Funded through the Council’s People and Skills programme from central government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the IT suite is a significant step forward in addressing key challenges faced by care leavers.

The new IT suite will offer care leavers a dedicated space to pursue further study, gain additional qualifications and explore career pathways. 

This project reflects a broader commitment to ensure that all young people, regardless of background, have the tools and support they need to thrive and goes further to strengthen our local offer to care leavers in West Northamptonshire and beyond.

“Russell House’s new IT suite is a really important addition to our offer to care leavers. It gives them access to the tools they need to learn, grow, and prepare for their futures. We have done a lot of work with employers in the local area to grow opportunities for care leavers and now we can support care leavers into those roles through access to digital resources and training.

We are very grateful for the support from our partners at West Northamptonshire Council for being part of this important project. The opening of this suite will provide a space that will empower and inspire young people for year to come”Colin Foster, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust

“The IT suite at Russell House is a fantastic investment in the futures of our care leavers. It will help improve their access to crucial resources such as online learning and research, as well as employment and CV support to help unlock opportunity for them to thrive. This is a great resource and I am really honoured to be invited to its opening together with our care leavers and partners, for something that will make a real difference.”Cllr Kathryn Ann Shaw, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at West Northants Council

“This is a great resource for our young care leavers, helping to provide easier access to crucial opportunities that will support their learning, skills-building and readiness for the world of work. We are committed to ensuring our care leavers have the right opportunities, as we continue to strengthen our support through the development of our corporate parenting strategy.” Melanie Barnett, Director of Children’s Services at West Northamptonshire Council

Russell House continues to be a cornerstone of support for care leavers in West Northamptonshire and the wider county, and the new IT suite reinforces its role as a place of opportunity, growth, and empowerment providing our care leavers and care experienced young people to prepare themselves to enter the next chapter of their lives.