DORSET HealthCare is offering a ‘survival kit’ to support the county’s vulnerable teenagers and help them retain their health and independence.

The Dorset’s New Adults (DNA) offers 18-year-olds a supply of essentials to assist them as they make their transition into adulthood.

In the package, there are foodstuffs, vitamins, health and hygiene products, a blanket and information pointing people towards advice and support if needed.

The idea came from Abi Clark and Ele Jarrett of the Trust’s Looked After Children’s Health Team. They held an event where young people could come and select their box and its contents.

Abi Clark said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity for young people leaving care and transitioning into adulthood to choose their DNA box and have a say on what’s included.

“We also offered information about local services and support they can access in the future, ensuring a healthy and happy lifestyle.”

The idea for the boxes was proposed by Abi and Ele with Nikita Roberts, a former Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) service user.

Nikita was in care for eight years, and now resides with a landlady in supported living. It is expected that she cooks, cleans and gets her own food, and she is progressing towards living by herself and heading to university later in the year.

She personally assisted with the survival kit project, and helped the other select what would go into the box.

At the event in Poole, she shared her own experiences with other young people.

She said: “It can be really scary leaving care and living on your own. The DNA box is a real helping hand. I’d recommend the box to any young person about to leave care – it really is like a big hug on your first night alone.”

The Looked after Children’s Health Team is a team that works to help children and young people who are about the leave care. It is comprised of nurses, doctors and psychologists who work alongside other local services.