BUILDING ON CARDINAL HUME’S LEGACY

By Glynn, hostel manager

APPEALUPDATE

In last year’s Centre Life magazine we announced that two new studio flats would be built in late 2021 to help tackle the increase in young people sleeping rough. According the 2020 London Assembly report there was a 47% increase in rough sleeping amongst 16-24 years olds*. The Centre fundraised for, renovated and opened two new emergency studio flats to help tackle youth homelessness.

The new emergency provision means that young people can move in to a studio flat on the same day that Westminster Council finds them at risk of sleeping rough. On the other hand non-emergency referrals – where a young person is living in care or with other relatives – will take a couple of weeks.

The studio flats are intended for short-term stays only; they are designed to get young people off the streets and fast-tracked into the Centre’s hostel or another supported living accommodation, so that the studio flats can be available for the next emergency.

For the young people who come to us for help this may be their first experience of supported accommodation. The privacy of having their own space can be particularly valuable to young people with mental health issues. Each studios has its own kitchenette

One of the new emergency flats to get young people off the streets. Photo: Cardinal Hume Centre

and bathroom. Staff are on hand to provide 24hour care and specialist support. Monitoring of each young person’s support needs will ensure that suitable long-term accommodation is found for them.

With a gift in your Will, you’ll continue the legacy of helping people escaping poverty to transform their lives. Write to us with your freepost envelope, emaillegacies@ cardinalhumecentre.org.ukor visit our website for more information.