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Lockdown was hard - but for those trying to stay sober, it could be agony

Jade, Former Centrepoint Resident

Former Centrepoint resident Jade has been looking after her two small children since the pandemic took hold, whilst her partner works full time. No easy feat, by any means, but Jade's struggles are twofold: as a former addict in recovery, the effects of a country on lockdown has tested her strength to stay sober. Here, Jade tells us her lockdown story in her own words, detailing how she manages to stay strong when the temptation becomes almost too much.

The budget may be delayed, but homeless young people still need action

Billy Harding, Policy and Research Officer

This week Centrepoint sent our submission to the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review - which has since been cancelled in favour of a ‘winter economy plan’. However, this still gives charities like Centrepoint the opportunity to identify where we think money needs to be spent and policies need to be changed.

Unregulated accommodation: what needs to be done

Paul Noblet, Head of Media and Public Affairs

Last month, when the Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield said 16- and 17 year-olds in care should not be put in danger by their accommodation, you’d be hard pressed to find someone that disagreed. But to follow the Commissioner’s suggestion and ban unregulated accommodation would be to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Here's what needs to be done instead.

A year like no other: an introduction to our new research

Emily Cretch, Deputy Service Manager

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.

Sacrificing their food and their future: keeping the Universal Credit uplift for young people

Pooja Singh, Digital Campaigns and Mobilisation Officer

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.

Young, black and homeless: observations from Centrepoint’s front line

Pooja Singh, Digital Campaigns and Mobilisation Officer

More than 50% of the young people Centrepoint supports come from a Black, Asian and ethnic minority background. As such, our hope this Black History Month is to initiate conversations that will help foster a fully inclusive culture at Centrepoint. Here, Digital Campaigns and Mobilisation Officer, Pooja Singh, sheds light on the challenges of being young, Black and homeless, from the perspectives of Centrepoint’s frontline staff.