February 07, 2020
Inspiration
By Fix Events
Every year, thousands of young people in London become homeless because of family breakdown, domestic abuse, poverty, youth violence or war and persecution in their home country. The support they need often isn’t there from local councils and statutory services and the housing crisis, cuts to provision and a difficult jobs market mean that they risk staying homeless. All too often their struggle to build a better life is lost in the daily battle of trying to find somewhere to sleep.
That’s why New Horizon Youth Centre exists. We want young people to reach their potential and thrive, creating the futures they deserve and the independence they crave. Through the holistic services on offer at our daycentre and via our outreach team we support over 1,000 young people, aged 16-24, each year in London who are experiencing homelessness, working with them to improve their health, economic circumstances and find somewhere that they can call home.
We have been leading the fight against youth homelessness for 52 years and our award winning approach is totally unique in London. For 360 days of the year, through our daily day centre and outreach services, we provide everything that young people need to create a positive future. This ‘one stop shop’ offering includes everything from hot cooked food, showers and laundry, right through to support with legal advice, finding work and getting housed.
Our day centre’s drop-in continues to be at the heart of what we do, offering a safe space and welcoming environment for the young people who come to us with nowhere else to turn. In the last year we have had 9,465 visits from 844 young people, 55% of whom are from the UK, 15% from Europe and the rest from an astonishing 67 different countries in the world. 40% of the young people who come to us require support with mental health, around a quarter have a criminal record and 26% have left care.
We are the only dedicated day centre for young people experiencing homelessness in London and the only one that is open seven days a week. It’s no surprise therefore that we see as many as 55 visits in a day. Last year in the drop-in we served over 8,000 hot meals and almost as many breakfasts, saw almost 1,000 uses of our washing machines and over 2,300 uses of our showers but the real value of the drop-in is seen through the work of our Youth Work Team, building trust and confidence and helping young people pursue their passions while they navigate their way out of homelessness – a complex and sometimes lengthy journey.
Given the challenges that homeless and vulnerable young people experience in London it’s no surprise that young people tell us that surviving is a talent. We believe that young people’s talents should be used for more than just surviving and with your support we can help them do just that.
For as long as young people are homeless and vulnerable in London, we will be on a mission to give their potential a home.
Please get in contact if you would like more information at info@nhyouthcentre.org.uk
Visit our website here www.nhyouthcentre.org.uk
