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.
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Mars (19), was referred to Centrepoint when they became homeless following a family breakdown. When living at home, they felt a sense of shame around their identity, but now they feel supported, accepted, understood and finally able to think about the future.
Lisa, 21, came to the UK from Vietnam aged 12 and became a resident at Centrepoint after leaving care at 18. She moved on from Centrepoint when she started university and throughout her degree she was supported financially through the Centrepoint Bursary. She has recently graduated with a first class honours.
Nadine (19) was in care for two and half years before returning to her mum's, but living together placed further strain on the relationship and she decided to move into semi-independent living. She received help from Centrepoint Works with key employability skills and has secured an apprenticeship with the organisation.
Layla became homeless at 18. She called the Centrepoint Helpline who were able to arrange an assessment with the Homeless Prevention and Relief Service (HPRS) in Manchester. She is now living in a self-contained flat and supported by Centrepoint’s Floating Support Team.
Leni* (20), was referred to Centrepoint in 2020 after leaving care aged 18. They are now in their own flat, but still receive floating support as well as support from our dedicated health team. They identify as non-binary. This is in their words.
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.
The cost-of-living crisis is affecting so many of the young people we support, the majority of whom are on benefits, studying or on a very low income. For Carrie, who has a three-year-old daughter and has just finished her first year of university, food poverty is making things almost impossible.
Paul and Ben are brothers who were reunited through the care system at one of our 16-18-year-old therapeutic services in Yorkshire. For Carol, the Deputy Service Manager, it was essential to manage this situation carefully in order for it to succeed.
At Centrepoint, Paul has been supported to work on his anger and cut down his alcohol intake. He has started a course in music technology and been supported by the bursary with a keyboard to help him with his course. He is hoping to eventually study music at university in the future.
Lara was referred to Centrepoint aged 16 through social services. Since being with Centrepoint she has been supported with key decisions, education and mental health. She is now studying Law at University and is helped financially during her studies through the Centrepoint Bursary Scheme.
After her parents were unable to care for her, Carrie entered the care system age six. A sexual assault in her early teens sent her spiralling, and she began dealing with the trauma through drugs and alcohol. Between the ages of 13 and 18, Carrie had 11 different foster placements. Today, Carrie lives in her own flat with her three-year-old daughter and receives floating support from Centrepoint. She has just started a degree in social work.
Ryan came to Centrepoint aged just 17 and stayed for three years before moving on. Whilst at Centrepoint, he received wrap-around support from a variety of teams within the organisation. Ryan is feeling more optimistic about his future and although he still has difficulties, he feels Centrepoint has equipped him with skills that he will use and value for life.
