Ricardo (26) grew up in the care system which he left around five years ago. He left school at 16 as he didn’t want to have to take out a loan to go into higher education. He left his foster home at 17.
He moved to London living in unregulated care homes for children over 16 and had some support from the care system until he was 21. He found work as a gym instructor and also did a bit of gardening.
However, Ricardo soon realised he was in a poverty trap. He feared he would end up homeless.
“Only very few people know what a poverty trap is,” he said. “It’s soul destroying.”
He decided the only way out was to take a student loan and go back into education. He studied for a sociology degree and is now finishing a Masters degree at the University of London. He’s living off a student loan and has sponsorship.
Ricardo also has mental health issues and finds he needs advice on everyday practical matters. He has achieved a lot but he still fears for his future.