NHS: The Family They Never Had In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His polished footwear move with deliberate precision as he exchanges pleasantries with colleagues—some by name, others with the universal currency of a "good morning." James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as an employee badge but as a symbol of acceptance. It rests against a pressed shirt that betrays nothing of the challenging road that preceded his arrival. What distinguishes James from many of his colleagues is not obvious to the casual observer. His demeanor gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first beneficiaries of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking created purposefully for young people who have experienced life in local authority care. "The Programme embraced me when I needed it most," James says, his voice controlled but tinged with emotion. His statement summarizes the essence of a programme that aims to transform how the enormous healthcare system views care leavers—those often overlooked young people aged 16-25 who have graduated out of the care system. The figures reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers frequently encounter greater psychological challenges, money troubles, accommodation difficulties, and diminished educational achievements compared to their contemporaries. Beneath these cold statistics are individual journeys of young people who have maneuvered through a system that, despite genuine attempts, often falls short in offering the stable base that forms most young lives. The NHS Universal Family Programme, established in January 2023 following NHS England's commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, represents a substantial transformation in institutional thinking.