Leaving care and starting to live on your own can feel scary. You might  feel lonely or unsure about where to turn when you need help. That’s why good relationships are so important – they keep us healthy, help us feel  supported, and remind us that we matter.

To start, it helps to believe that you deserve good relationships and that you can have them. It is not unusual for people to have struggled with relationships in their teenage years and then find ways of making healthy relationships as they become adults. A good relationship is one where both people feel safe, supported, and listened to. It’s when someone values what you say and how you feel. You’ll know it’s healthy when you can be yourself, even disagree at times, but still feel respected.

Good relationships can look different with different people. One person might listen when you need to talk, another might encourage you when you’re  trying something new. Each connection can bring something positive.

A strong relationship should make you feel like you are important – even  in small ways. If a connection makes you feel judged, ignored, or  unimportant, it might be worth thinking about whether it’s really helping  you.

Finally, remember that relationships aren’t just about receiving support –  they’re also about giving it. Showing someone that you care can be just as  powerful as knowing that someone cares about you. Give and take should be part of any good relationship.

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Pay attention to how you feel in your relationships. Do you feel safe, respected, and valued? Think about the effort you put in, and whether the other person is also making the relationship strong. Good connections give you someone to turn to when you need help, and they bring positive energy into yourlife.

These relationships can come from different people at different times – a carer, social worker, teacher, friend, family member, or even someone in your community. What matters is that they encourage you and want the best for you.

Research shows that when people don’t have good relationships, they can feel more isolated, make poorer decisions, and struggle to reach their goals. On the other hand, strong, supportive relationships are linked to better life outcomes – they help you live longer, healthier, and with a stronger sense of belonging.

When you have people in your life who genuinely want you to succeed, you’re more likely to believe in yourself and move towards the goals that matter to you.

Try to keep communication open and honest at all times. This  shows you both trust and respect the person and that you want the same back  from them. It is also important to behave in a way in the relationship and  treat the other person as you wish to be treated. You need to show that the relationship is two way and needs to meet the needs and expectations of both  people.

To better understand the importance and impact of positive relationships there are several places you can look online. One example is this resource from the mental health foundation.