Nationwide and Centrepoint

Celebrating Centrepoint's largest ever corporate partnership with Nationwide Building Society.

Our partnership is part of Nationwide Fairer Futures, their social impact strategy which supports those who have been dealt an unfair hand across generations. 

Nationwide see youth homelessness as one of the biggest issues in society today

Nationwide is partnering with Centrepoint because, as a building society, they know how important it is to have a place to call home and the difference it can make to people’s lives. In 2024, they embarked on a new social impact straegy, Nationwide Fairer Futures, designed to make a difference across generations.

They join Centrepoint in the belief that by working together, we can end youth homelessness for the next generation. 

Nationwide Fairer Futures. Helping those who have been dealt an unfair hand.

Our partnership aim is to enable young people to have a home where they feel safe, where they belong and where they can rebuild their lives. When the partnership launched in June 2024 we set ourselves an ambition to support 3,500 homeless young people. As of March 2026 we are thrilled to have already surpassed this target reaching 4,713 young people.

How we're working together

Centrepoint accommodation recently refurbished with new sofas, lighting and stylish wallpaper through Nationwide More Than a Roof

More Than a Roof

‘More Than a Roof’ is about refurbishing homes and creating safe spaces for homeless young people so they can be themselves and rebuild their lives. It does this in three different ways:   

  • Refurbishing homes owned by Centrepoint.
  • A grant programme empowering Centrepoint's national network of smaller youth homelessness charities to upgrade their spaces.
  • 'Style Your Space' which gives young people the funds to personalise their space and make their home their own. 
A young person at a Centrepoint service

Stepping Stone Homes

‘Stepping Stone Homes’ is a ground-breaking independent living programme to fund truly affordable new homes for young people who have faced homelessness. This ambitious scheme sees Centrepoint build homes for young people to live in independently for 3-5 years. Residents pay rent capped at a third of their salary, so they can afford to make ends meet and save for the future, to break the cycle of homelessness. Nationwide is supporting three developments over the course of our partnership.

A young person puts laundry in the washing machine in their rented home

Making Renting Work

‘Making Renting Work’ funds deposits and rent for homeless young people who are ready to leave supported homes and move into the private rental sector. It helps them find the right accommodation, so they can overcome the barriers to living independently and secure a space to call home. 

Partipants wrapped up in warm clothing hold up a banner during their Nationwide Sleep Out

Sleep Out

Sleep Out is not about replicating homelessness – it’s a chance to take a moment to experience the difficult realities young people face when sleeping in cold, uncomfortable and noisy conditions for just one night. And to think about how much worse that would be for somebody who is vulnerable, isolated, and facing endless days and nights like that. Nationwide is sponsoring Sleep Out to help raise funds and awareness, and so we can put an end to youth homelessness.

A Centrepoint team member shows a young person a book about managing finances in a classroom.

Moneywise

‘Moneywise’ is a financial literacy program that gives young people the knowledge and confidence to take control of their finances. The programme combines personalised financial support and structured learning to help young people budget, manage rent, understand credit, and make informed choices.

It also provides a safe, judgement‑free environment where young people can rebuild confidence in themselves - a vital step for those who have faced instability and lost faith in their own capabilities.

Young people sit in a modern classroom with a teacher while learning English

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

ESOL is an English language course specifically designed for those whose first language is not English. 

Nationwide will provide funding to support young people to enrol on this course, enabling them to strengthen their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. 

This will help remove barriers to accessing employment and education opportunities that require Level 1 English qualifications and will support young people on their path to independence. The programme is offered as a rolling course.

Our impact so far

During the first two years of partnership, we have supported 4,713 young people with a safe space to rebuild their lives. A few highlights include:

  • 12 young people participated in a week-long work experience programme at Nationwide, delivered in collaboration with our Get Set Go team
  • 4 Centrepoint services have been refurbished, creating a physically and psychologically safe place for young people to recover from homelessness
  • 1042 young people living in Centrepoint services received a £125 voucher to purchase items for their rooms to style them in their own taste and create a more homely feel
  • 47 young people have been supported by our Moneywise financial literacy programme, giving them the skills and confidence to take control of their finances.
  • 406 young people have received rent deposits, helping them access privately rented accommodation
  • 35 of our partnering organisations  received grants in Year 2, totalling over £475,000, to enable the young people they support to buy items for their rooms and to upgrade their spaces
  • 165 Nationwide colleagues in Year 1 and 274 colleagues in Year 2 got involved in Sleep Outs across the country at their offices and branches, raising over £90k
  • Colleagues have completed various challenge events for us, generously donated their time to support Centrepoint and shared their expertise and insights with our colleagues
I just thought ‘moving on is going to be so hard. I'm on my own, I have to do everything by myself’. So to know that they've helped me out a bit, so when I do move on to getting my permanent [home], I'm not just stuck with nothing, I've got a few things to start with, it makes me more motivated to want to do more….Now I know that I've got stuff with me that is mine, it's making me happier. I feel like it makes me happier in general."

What's next?

During year 3 of our partnership, we are continuing to build on the incredible successes so far and are committed to supporting even more young people through our programmes. We will also be progressing some exciting work with colleagues in Nationwide’s Customer Vulnerability team, to share insights and unlock the barriers that homeless young people face around accessing bank accounts. In addition, we will be continuing to develop opportunities with Nationwide’s Early Careers team for more internships and work experience with young people.

Young person with two high rise buildings in background