We share the stories of those with lived experience of homelessness and those working to end it. Through these voices, we raise awareness, inform research and raise funds to support young people and to end youth homelessness.
If you would like to share your story - please submit it here
Tamsin Clements
Idan (23) grew up in an unstable household. A particularly traumatic event resulted in her becoming homeless and led her to moving into a Centrepoint service. Now in her own place, Idan has started a journey of healing and stability.
David Monteith-Hodge - Sleep Out 2023
Ben became homeless at 15 and for the remainder of his teenage years, he moved between hostels, B&Bs, shelters and rough sleeping. At 19, Ben was placed into a Centrepoint hostel and from there a Centrepoint self-contained flat where he met staff members that were to have a lasting impact on his life.
Joe was supported by Centrepoint in Manchester on and off over a number of years, but it’s only recently that Joe has been ready to turn his life around. From sleeping in every doorway in Manchester City Centre, Joe is now in a stable place and looking forward to the future.g summary
The Centrepoint Bursary has made such a difference to Katy* throughout her carpentry course. It has provided funding for clothing, carpentry tools as well as travel to college and construction sites which has made it possible for Katy not only to access, but also sustain her training. She is hopes to go on to work in construction management.
Carrianne came to London in search of her father in 1983 at just 15-years-old. She met two punks in Soho who told her about the Centrepoint night shelter.
Following a family breakdown at 18, Kyle ended up on the streets. With support from Centrepoint, Kyle is now in his own permanent accommodation, has put drugs behind him and is on the path to securing stable employment.
Rich, 25, experienced three periods of homelessness since the age of 17. Despite the uncertainty and instability, he has kept on moving forward and he is now in an apprenticeship in London and living in one of Centrepoint’s Independent Living Properties.
When Danny first arrived at SLEAP (A Centrepoint partner organisation based in Lancashire), according to his own words "he did not exist". He had been rough sleeping for two years and he had no documents. Despite this difficult start, Daniel has turned his negative experiences into motivation to help others. He has won the 2021 Centrepoint Partner’s Inspiration Award.
During the pandemic, Abdi* became homeless and was at risk of rough sleeping had Centrepoint's Homeless Prevention Service in Manchester not been able to place him in emergency accommodation. He is now settled, but looking forwards to restrictions easing so he can take his driving test and start working.
Ziggy had a difficult journey before he found support from Centrepoint. He fell in with a bad crowd and was rough sleeping. Seven years since leaving services, Ziggy, now 29, got in touch with us wanting to share his story in his own words.
