Fryer Grassroots Fund

The Fryer Grassroots Fund was established in 2009 by John Fryer-Spedding CBE and his wife Clare to support organisations who work with children and young people, particularly those leaving care. Many young people who have been in care are expected to live independently from as young as 16 years old and do not have access to the same financial and family support systems that most young people experience. The fund aims to make the challenge of leaving care a little bit easier, giving young people a better start in life. This grassroots funding initiative is managed through the Cumbria Community Foundation and supports practical projects that help care leavers develop essential life skills and independence. The fund has supported projects such as the creation of a recipe book to help young people leaving care learn to eat healthily on a budget, with contributions toward production costs and professional input from local chefs.