Preventing homelessness among young people
We are committed to creating safe, caring and positive environments to help young people achieve their potential.
We work with over 400 young people who need support for a wide range of reasons including:
- those leaving care
- teenage parents
- ex-offenders and those at risk of offending
- young people who have been made homeless
- young people with mental health needs.
Our experienced staff work closely with each young person to help motivate and develop their aspirations.
Our facilities and services include high to medium supported housing, assessment centres, floating support and supported housing for young parents to help young people gain stability and take control of their futures.
Our work focuses on three key areas:
- Aspiration – raising aspiration and achievement through confidence building, developing life skills, education, employability programmes and one-to-one support.
- Inspiration – developing work and leisure-based opportunities to help inspire young people to change their lives.
- Relationships – focusing on the positive relationship between the young person and their support officer as the key to supporting, shaping and informing young people’s lives.
We are the first housing association in London and only the second in the UK to hold a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award licence. Our support is designed to help each young person to attain the modules they need to get the Bronze Award. A number of our young people have gone on to get their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
Young people are encouraged to work together, socialise with each other and take part in group activities.
Our 'be inspired' programme offers a range of activities designed to promote engagement and is linked to our peer support programme. Our young persons’ toolkit has been developed with our customers and provides a comprehensive set of tools and approaches for working with young people.
Focus on Whites Row in Tower Hamlets
At our assessment centre in Whites Row in Tower Hamlets, we provide supported accommodation to young people who find themselves homeless. We work with the young residents to understand their individual circumstances and provide mediation to enable them to move back home or get them the support they need to move on to a secure home of their own. This can include developing budgeting and cooking skills, as well as general skills needed to maintain a tenancy.
When asked, a customer said of Whites Row that it was:
- A home to those who don’t have one
- A safe place off the streets
- A happy, kind environment for young people
- A place to get support and a comfy place to live
- A way forward and a change to see what living on your own is about.