Young people in care in Co. Tyrone will be able to get advice and support on how to cope direct to their mobile phones with the launch of an innovative new service from local charity VOYPIC – the Voice of Young People in Care.

Known as 'ShareCare', the service allows young people in care to register for a series of free texts for coping with life in the care system by texting ShareCare to 88600. The ten top tips, which will be sent over a week long period, were developed and written by young people in care across Northern Ireland, including Tyrone. VOYPIC then selected the top ten to become texts.

Launching 'ShareCare', Vivian McConvey, VOYPIC's Director explained just how vital the service may be for young people: "There are many young people in care in Co. Tyrone. Young people in care tell us that they often feel isolated and confused – they are often experiencing a great deal of change, and like all of us, they find new situations and new people hard to cope with. However, young people in care have huge potential – they just need some more support to achieve it."

Vivian said that the text tips will be very practical: "At VOYPIC we are focussed on listening to young people in care and helping to make their voice heard. The text tips are based on the real experiences of young people and tackle quite fundamental, every day situations such as handling arguments, setting goals and dealing with frustration and anger – things we can all identify with but which can be heightened by young people's experience of the care system."

The 'ShareCare' service will be available for a month from September 1 and is funded by Children and Young Peoples Funding Package.