A young person faces homelessness every four minutes in the UK. A home provides safety and stability, and not having one can have a destructive impact on a young person’s wellbeing.
The experience can derail their lives forever – unless experts like Centrepoint intervene.
Do you want to help young people leave homelessness behind?
Centrepoint has a bold ambition to end youth homelessness by 2037. We believe every young person deserves a home, a job and a brighter future – no matter their start in life.
Centrepoint has been helping vulnerable young people to move on from homelessness for over 50 years.
The threat of youth homelessness can never be entirely removed because of the multiple factors that cause it.
However, we believe it is possible to significantly reduce the number of young people facing homelessness; it is possible to have a clear, accessible and effective pathway for each of those young people at the point of crisis; and it is possible to help young people to move on successfully into settled accommodation when they are ready.
To achieve this vision, we need:
of young people were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall service Centrepoint provides.
of those we supported were in employment, education or training when they left Centrepoint.
of residents moved on to live independently.
We are working with partners in schools to identify 11-16-year-olds who are at hidden risk of homelessness. We’re providing targeted support to these students that tackles the risk area they are dealing with, including through family mediation and mental health support.
This ground-breaking project is the first of its kind in England. We are following in the footsteps of Llamau, who developed the survey in Wales and have been delivering the work since 2020. We also aim to emulate the success of a similar project administered in Geelong, Australia – which saw a 40% reduction in youth homelessness.
Through our street outreach work, drop-in centre at 52 Oldham Street and Complex Case team, we’re reaching and working with the most entrenched young rough sleepers in Manchester city centre – providing immediate relief from street homelessness and linking young people up with Centrepoint’s wider support services.
Our Helpline is often the first point of call for young people who have nowhere else to turn. One call is made to Centrepoint’s Helpline every 7 minutes, and our trained Advisors are on hand to provide much-needed advice, support, and to signpost to safe shelter. Hear more about a young person’s experience of the Centrepoint Helpline.
When a young person calls Centrepoint’s Helpline, they speak directly to one of our specialist Advisors, who can link them up with homelessness organisations closest to their immediate location.
Last year, 5,257 young people were supported by Centrepoint’s Advisors after contacting the Helpline.
Healing from homelessness takes more than just a roof. It needs a home. A safe, secure and welcoming place to stay where young people can start to overcome the trauma they’ve experienced and become part of a community.
When a young person first arrives at Centrepoint they are given their own room and, at their own pace, are encouraged to access social areas and meet with other residents.
Every young person is linked up with a Key Worker, who provides one-to-one support throughout their journey – from settling them in on their first night, to linking them up with Centrepoint’s wraparound support programmes, and helping them to move-on independently.
We run over 60 accommodation services across 15 boroughs in London, Sunderland, Manchester, Bradford and Barnsley. We run specialist housing for different needs, including for single parents, young people leaving care and those escaping violence and abuse.
For those who do experience homelessness, there needs to be fast and tailored support for their recovery. At Centrepoint, we offer essential mental health support, tailored education and employment options, and specialist advice as part of our wraparound support programmes that help young people to turn their lives around.
We continue to support young people for six months after they've left Centrepoint. The support we offer includes:
Our Independent Living properties were created in response to the severe shortage of stable and affordable housing for young people on low incomes. The initiative provides truly affordable housing for young people moving out of supported accommodation and into work, where we will never charge a young person more than around one-third of their salary in rent.
Kyle became homeless and slept rough for many years before building trust with staff from Centrepoint in Manchester. With support, he is now stable and in his own home.
Our team of relationship fundraisers work with individuals, businesses and trusts and foundations to create change for vulnerable young people. From sponsorship of one of our programmes to volunteering and sharing connections, there are many ways you can contribute to Centrepoint’s work and be part of building brighter futures for young people.
