Centrepoint

This Pro Bono week, we’re celebrating the impact of our legal advice offer for young people.   For many young people, accessing legal support can feel impossible, intimidating and overwhelming. Legal support is more than resolving legal issues, it is also about being seen, heard and understood. Each of the clinic sessions delivered by our partners gives young people a chance to voice their struggles and fears in an environment solely focussed on their needs.   One young person shared: “I think it was the best thing I’ve ever done, I feel like I’ve been supported, and no one has let me down. I’m happy that someone heard my voice and took action on it. I now have more of an idea about how the legal system works, and what they can offer, and in the future I would know what to do and who to approach for help”.   For many, the legal advice can be a first step towards security, self-confidence and autonomy. Young people can leave with a clear path forward and the belief that they deserve help and respect.   Thank you to all our partners for helping to give a voice to young people experiencing homelessness and for supporting them to make informed decisions about their legal issues: Herbert Smith Freehills, Goldman Sachs, FOURTEEN, Hertfordshire Law Clinic, Coram Children's Legal Centre.   #ProBonoWeek #WeDoProBono

It’s Pro Bono Week – learn more about how we support young people to access legal advice with topics like employment rights, housing benefit, immigration, family law and consumer issues.   Our legal offer for young people is delivered in partnership with a range of legal experts and organisations, and aim to break down barriers by increasing access to justice. The one-off legal clinic sessions provide a means for young people to speak freely and without judgement, and they receive a summary of the clinic session and recommended steps, which allows their legal needs to be dealt with proactively.   We’re grateful to partner with lawyers who not only offer this expert advice, but also provide it with empathy and a deep understanding of the challenges that young people experiencing homelessness face.   A massive thank you to these amazing lawyers who make the legal clinics possible: Herbert Smith Freehills, Goldman Sachs, FOURTEEN, Hertfordshire Law Clinic, Coram Children's Legal Centre   #ProBonoWeek #WeDoProBono

Toni-Ann believes no young person should ever face homelessness, and she's using her own experience to make this a reality. She's one of our amazing Centrepoint Award winners because she's determined, altruistic and successful. 🧡 Coventry Building Society

We’re proud to work with our Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, and Homewards – a five-year programme demonstrating that it’s possible to end homelessness.    This new documentary shares the powerful stories of people who have experienced homelessness and shows how we can work together to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated.     Tune in to see how Homewards works with partners like us to deliver life-changing solutions and improve understanding about the different forms of homelessness. 

Ahead of tomorrow’s Budget, a movement has been growing. A movement to end an injustice that has left many homeless young people stuck in a world where getting a job leaves them unable to afford the essentials. There is an impossibly cruel quirk in the current social security system where people in supported accommodation, stuck on the legacy housing benefit, see vital financial support cut at a faster rate than their pay is rising. This is particularly damaging for young people trying to escape homelessness, and we estimate this benefit trap affects almost 31,000 young people. It would be simple for the Chancellor to Make Work Pay: Change the housing benefit taper rate for homeless people in supported accommodation so it matches the Universal Credit rate. The government must level the playing field and help young people in work reach their potential. Read more about this issue: https://bit.ly/4e0NlGd Add your name to our open letter and tell the Chancellor to take urgent action at tomorrow’s Budget: https://bit.ly/3XZzN7N

Sleep Out is back! Our flagship fundraising event is now just around the corner – but it’s not too late to sign up! We’re asking you to swap your bed for a sleeping bag for one night only and by doing so, help us to raise vital funds for vulnerable young people across the country.   On 14 November, at the iconic Oval Cricket ground, we’ll be hosting an evening of talks and informative activities to raise awareness of youth homelessness, and then at 11pm the true challenge will begin.   If you or your company want to take part, register here: https://bit.ly/4fowWfR

Aimee became homeless during her studies, but now she's living in her own home, working to support others and following her music dreams too. She's amazing, inspiring, unstoppable - and that's why she's a Centrepoint Awards winner. 🧡 Nationwide Building Society

“An unjust benefit system that disincentivises work and tempers ambition is a broken system. On 30 October you have a chance to fix it.” Nationwide Building Society, Coventry Building Society and The Co-operative Bank plc join our campaign to Make Work Pay. Read their letter to the Treasury.

Andrew was a resident in one of our Independent Living Properties, where he was able to thrive and finish his apprenticeship. He's a leader, determined and engaged - and an amazing advocate for other homeless young people. He recently won a Centrepoint Award. 🧡 Nationwide Building Society

Wow, what a night at the Centrepoint Awards, where we were shining a light on the incredible resilience of young people who have overcome homelessness to achieve extraordinary success!   We were delighted to be joined by our Patron, as well as so many ambassadors, partners, supporters and performers to celebrate our finalists and winners, and come together to take one step closer to ensuring every young person has a safe place to call home.   Thank you to Nationwide Building Society for sponsoring the event! 🧡 Thank you to Coventry Building Society for sponsoring the Personal Development Award!   Thank you to our Global Ambassador Debra Reuben and the Reuben Foundation.