Centrepoint has been building a new, psychologically-informed, working environment with staff wellbeing at its heart. Here, Senior Digital and Communications Officer Keir Forde, explains why and how we’re promoting staff wellbeing, and where we’ve got to in our first 12 months.
Good hygiene has never been more important. But for the homeless, hygiene is a complicated issue. When you have no roof over your head, let alone access to warm running water, those cleanliness practices can be a challenge. This not only poses a risk to physical wellbeing, but can also affect mental health. Thankfully, hygiene kits for homeless people can make all the difference.
Centrepoint’s new report, A Year Like No Other, has reflected on the impact of the last year on vulnerable young people, looking at youth unemployment, homelessness, poverty and mental health, and assessing the impact of the government’s policy interventions during the pandemic. Here, Deputy Service Manager Emily Cretch talks us through the research, and reflects on how the past year has been for her and her team.
Today sees the London mayoral elections take place once again, but this year will be different from the others: in the wake of a pandemic that has devastated the lives of many all over the country, there is much to rebuild. All candidates have vowed to improve London over the next four years – but who will make a difference to the lives of homeless young people?
Men’s Health Week aims to improve the lives of men and boys, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This year, as we emerge from the biggest health crisis of the 21st century, the question is: where do we go from here?
Senior Case Studies Officer, Tamsin Clements, talks to the Centrepoint Works team to explore how our in-house learning and employment offer can support young people who may have fallen through the cracks in the education system.
In July 2020, we put together a mission statement of how we planned to support Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) staff within Centrepoint. We promised to hold ourselves accountable, to look at our processes, and to speak to those at the heart of the matter: our staff. A lot of our work on being anti-racist begins on the inside, at the core. And so, we wanted to share an update on our progress with you, our supporters, to let you know we’re still striving towards our mission. Here’s what we’ve been up to.
For so many young people who come through our doors, Centrepoint's Bursary provides a crucial lifeline for continuing their education and starting a career - both of which are key steps to independence. But did you know that we actually have three different kinds of Bursary, and that it's actually one of the last steps in helping young people to move on from homelessness? Find out more about our life-changing Bursaries here.
Financial benefits, housing support and access to government employment programmes are all key to helping homeless people gain their independence. However, for the homeless, benefits – and the process of claiming them – can sometimes seem confusing. That’s why we’re here to help with our handy guide to your entitlement.
As recipients of the lowest amount of Universal Credit, young people have been left struggling to make ends meet for decades. When the weekly £20 uplift is removed at the end of this month, many vulnerable young people will be forced to compromise between food, bills or rent – an impossible choice that will make it even harder for homeless young people to move forward with their lives.
