Baxter International Foundation

The Amber Foundation exists to help young people transform their lives. Amber becomes a temporary home for unemployed young people with low self-esteem and without any sense of direction. Almost all are long-term unemployed, many are homeless and some may be depressed or in poor health.

In return for a commitment on their part to work towards achieving a better future, the Amber Foundation help their residents develop the skills and self-confidence to do so. While staying in a friendly and encouraging environment they learn about the world of employment and further education. More generally, they learn important lessons about presenting themselves in a positive light, interacting successfully with others and maintaining a sense of their own self-worth.

By the time they leave the Amber Foundation, most are ready to embark upon a new and happier life.

As many of their residents are in poor health as a result of substance misuse it´s Amber´s aim to provide a comprehensive healthy living programme to help residents regain their self respect and confidence to find sustainable employment or training towards employment.

The benefits of The Baxter International Foundation Award is two-fold for the Amber Foundation, as it is being used to fund a weekly GP surgery as well as a counselling service.

The weekly surgery provides GP and specialist support specific to each person´s needs, easing access to healthcare for residents who previously had to travel to a local surgery for general medical needs and prescriptions.

The counselling service assists residents in coping with their personal issues and the detrimental effects of past issues on their daily life.