PRESS RELEASES

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LaunchPad Homes that build communities and futures Fran Bainbridge, 1625 Independent People LaunchPad is a modular housing pilot for the young independent adult, ready for a new start in life, in modern and inspired accommodation. It is here to help people break out of student rentals, supported housing or overpriced accommodation. It aims to bring people together, help increase diversity in communities and build wellbeing for the best start in life.

LaunchPad is a partnership of innovative collaborators, 1625 Independent People (1625ip), University of Bristol Students Union and United Communities and funding contributed by LandAid and the University of Bristol. We are delighted to announce that planning permission has been granted and LaunchPad will commence building on the car park at the bottom of Alexandra Park, Fishponds, Bristol in September.

The team is designing LaunchPad in a way that brings a diverse group of young people together in high quality, affordable accommodation, meeting a vital need in the city. University students will live alongside young key workers, such as nurses and teachers, and young people moving on from 1625ip supported housing. 1625ip will support the young people to work together, make a positive contribution and establish a well-managed community, with self-management and mutual support at its heart. We see LaunchPad as a great opportunity to create a ‘one city’ approach that brings our communities together in a positive way.

Bristol faces multiple challenges including housing, affordability, studentification and a mental health crisis. Indeed, homelessness is on the rise in Bristol with a 128% increase over the last 3 years (Homeless Link statistic). These issues are keenly felt by Bristol’s young people and are creating significant barriers to their ability to thrive. LaunchPad is determined to be part of the solution. We believe in supporting a young person's journey; integrating young people who are particularly passionate about connecting with others and proactively building community.

“LaunchPad is an incredibly exciting development demonstrating what's possible when pairing innovation and collaboration. This project will make a real difference for the lives of the young people living there as well as showing what is possible when we have the courage to reimagine. We are delighted to be involved!" - Jessie Wilde, Bristol Housing Festival. LaunchPad is one of the Bristol Housing Festival’s first two projects, following on from the inaugural exhibition in October 2018. Over five years the Bristol Housing Festival will act as an incubator to road-test innovation in real-world scenarios to accelerate the delivery of quality, affordable housing supporting healthy and strong communities.

Young People are brave, resilient and resourceful. They work hard to overcome challenges in their lives and with them, we are taking the next step to making a better place to live, for them and for all of Bristol.

Picture caption: LaunchPad Images and Logo

----------------- END ---------------Notes to the editor LaunchPad partners include: 1625 Independent People 1625 Independent People (1625ip), exists to support young people aged 16-25 to build independent lives. We do this by helping young people to find and keep a safe, stable home and develop positive healthy relationships. We offer non-judgmental support and advice, access to counselling, training and help finding jobs.

We support over 2000 young people every year.

With over 30 years’ experience of youth services Independent People is a strong voluntary organisation which is strategically relevant and at the forefront of support provision for young homeless people and care leavers in the South West.

Independent People is a charitable registered society (once known as ‘an industrial and provident society’) in accordance with the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (no.23964R); we’re a non-profit making charity.

You can read the 1625 Independent People Annual Report or visit our website www.1625ip.co.uk for more information. You can also follow us on Twitter @1625ip, Facebook @Bristol1625ip and Instagram @1625ip.

For further press enquiries or interview opportunities, please contact: Fran Bainbridge, Communication Officer 1625 Independent People Tel: 0117 317 7096 Fax: 0117 317 8849 Email Address fran.bainbridge@1625ip.co.uk United Communities United Communities are a community-based housing association managing over 1,800 homes in the wider Bristol area and Swindon. We are committed to building new homes, supporting residents to achieve their employment and training aspirations and working within communities to create safe and sustainable communities that residents are proud to call home.

The vast majority of our homes are for general social housing residents, but we also have a number of shared ownership homes. We want to make a positive impact on residents’ lives by providing great homes and communities across the wider Bristol area.

Alongside our partners we work tirelessly to meet the need for affordable homes in a way which will help to regenerate our communities and provide our residents with More Than Just a Roof.

At United Communities we are committed to delivering More Than Just a Roof for all our customers.

This means going the extra mile and striving to have a positive impact on all our residents’ lives by providing good quality homes, a great service and vibrant communities.

We are passionate about working with residents to build better communities. Visit our website to see some of the exciting work we do www.unitedcommunities.org.uk University of Bristol Student’s Union Bristol Students’ Union are central to the university experience, offering representation, social life, clubs, activities, advice and support. We also seek to reach out into the wider community through initiatives like Bristol Big Give and RAG to ensure that the people of Bristol appreciate the contribution of its student population.

We have achieved loads in the last year including providing advice to over 1000 students, improving sustainability and funding individual students to pursue hobbies and interests. We are constantly improving what we do by actively involving students in our decision making and delivery.

Bristol SU Lettings was established in 2013 and plays an active part in improving the moving experience for its students with affordable quality housing solutions.

For details of all our work please go to bristolsu.org.uk/impact. You can also find us on Twitter (@Bristol_SU) and Facebook.

Bristol Housing Festival An initiative of Bristol One City, The Festival will run over five years and is supported by Bristol City Council, Bristol and Bath Regional Capital and The Shaftesbury Partnership. It will act as an incubator to road-test, in a real-world scenario, both existing concepts and innovative solutions designed to accelerate the delivery of quality, affordable housing. These will include exploring smart technology and off-site manufacturing. The Festival will also highlight the ambition and work that is already underway in the city through partnerships, innovators, community groups and pioneers.

Announcements on the next steps for the Festival will be made by twitter, news release, and on the housing festival website.

The Bristol Housing Festival is an initiative of Bristol One City. The Bristol One City Approach supports organisations and communities across our city to work together and deliver added value for citizens.

https://www.bristolhousingfestival.org.uk/

Press Release – for immediate release Reboot West; a new programme offering a brighter future for care leavers in the West.

1625 Independent People (1625ip) and Bristol City Council have announced a new partnership aimed at kick-starting the journeys into learning and employment of 200 young people leaving care in the West.

The new initiative, Reboot West, will support young people to access work experience, jobs, apprenticeships and mentoring, and is calling on businesses across the South West to get involved.

Reboot West is a partnership between 1625ip, four local authorities -Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council, North Somerset Council - and social investor Bridges Fund Management (Bridges).

Funding for the programme has been secured by 1625 Independent People and will use social investment to support care leavers to achieve their potential. Bridges will fund delivery of the new project and then receive payments through the Department for Education’s Children’s Social Care Innovation programme based on the results achieved by the project The programme has been developed, co-designed and coordinated by 1625 Independent People (1625ip) with support from the four local authorities and Bridges. It will help young people leaving care in the West to lead successful, independent lives.

Care leavers will be given support to progress into education and jobs alongside access to safe, stable homes, trusting relationships and a range of practical and emotional help to develop personally.

Young people and businesses will be actively engaged in shaping the project so that opportunities are created that meet the needs and aspirations of both young people and employers.

Combating the sense of isolation care leavers often report when leaving care will also be a key aim of the project. By making sure they have the right emotional and practical support in place and by

testing new approaches that engage the whole community in finding solutions, the project will seek to remove the negative impacts this feeling can have.

The project will also engage all sectors of the community, including businesses, in tackling the inequalities, disadvantage and discrimination that care leavers can face as they transition into adulthood.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “This is a unique opportunity for employers to invest in the next generation, develop their workforce and tackle disadvantage and inequality at the same time. If we are to build a city where everyone’s experience is one of hope and ambition we must all play our role in supporting opportunity and development.

“Young people leaving care face unique challenges and Reboot West aims to provide worthwhile opportunities for people to develop and build a better future for themselves. This new partnership is an example of how, together, we can pool our resources and ensure that we’re giving care leavers the best possible start to their lives after care.”

Dom Wood, CEO of 1625ip said, “We know that given the right opportunities and support every young person can succeed. We are delighted by the support that the Department for Education has announced. We are now keener than ever to hear from employers across all sectors, including businesses, who are interested in offering opportunities for our care leavers.

“Young people leaving care bring a vast range of skills, and we know that when they are offered the right opportunities, alongside the emotional and practical support that this project will offer, they can thrive and be a fantastic asset to businesses, public services, charities, colleges and universities.

“We are delighted to be part of the Department of Education’s new initiative and we hope that with the right opportunities in place, we will see a new future emerge for our care leavers.”

If you are interested in finding out more about Reboot West, and how your business can get involved, please contact Tim Wye, Programme Manager, by emailing tim.wye@1625ip.co.uk.

Picture caption: Reboot West Logo

----------------- END ---------------Notes to the editor Reboot SW partners include: 1625 Independent People 1625 Independent People (1625ip), exists to support young people aged 16-25 to build independent lives. We do this by helping young people to find and keep a safe, stable home and develop positive healthy relationships. We offer non-judgmental support and advice, access to counselling, training and help finding jobs.

We support over 2000 young people every year.

With over 30 years’ experience of youth services Independent People is a strong voluntary organisation which is strategically relevant and at the forefront of support provision for young homeless people and care leavers in the South West.

Independent People is a charitable registered society (once known as ‘an industrial and provident society’) in accordance with the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (no.23964R); we’re a non-profit making charity.

You can read the 1625 Independent People Annual Report or visit our website www.1625ip.co.uk for more information. You can also follow us on Twitter @1625ip, Facebook @Bristol1625ip and Instagram @1625ip.

For further press enquiries or interview opportunities, please contact:

Fran Bainbridge, Communication Officer 1625 Independent People Tel: 0117 317 7096 Fax: 0117 317 8849 Email Address fran.bainbridge@1625ip.co.uk John Smith, Senior Public Relations Officer Bristol City Council Tel: 0117 352 1258 Email: john.smith@bristol.gov.uk South Gloucestershire Council INSERT BOILER TEMPLATE Bath & North East Somerset Council INSERT BOILER TEMPLATE North Somerset Council INSERT BOILER TEMPLATE Bridges Fund Management Bridges Fund Management (formerly Bridges Ventures) is a specialist fund manager focused exclusively on sustainable and impact investment, with offices in London and New York. Since 2002, the firm has raised over £900m to invest in SMEs, properties and social sector organisations that are helping to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges, with a focus on four themes: health & wellbeing, education & skills, sustainable living and underserved markets. The Bridges Social Impact Bond Fund was the first in the world dedicated to outcomes contracts, and has now supported over 20 different programmes.

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 2018 Fran Bainbridge, 1625 Independent People (1625ip)

A little help from my friends…

As part of the Homelessness Awareness Week, 1625 Independent People (1625ip), are highlighting their Peer Education work and why it is key to tackling youth homelessness. We aim to see our young people thriving and always learn from their experiences. One thing young people have said is they wish someone had told them what they know now about leaving home and being homeless, it would have made a big difference to the choices they made.

How many times have you thought, ‘if only I could go back and tell my younger self’? We believe Peer Education helps answer that question. The Peer Educators are all young people who have been homeless and/or experienced financial difficulty and want to make a difference to the lives of other young people in their local area. As one Peer Educator said, “I got involved because I wanted to help people who’ve had the same experiences so they don’t make the same mistakes when leaving home. It’s important because it helps people from becoming homeless, trying to solve the problems before they leave home.”

1625ip deliver Peer Education as part of a fantastic partnership with other organisations such as Barnardo's, Off The Record and Bristol Drugs Project and is supported by the Nisbet Trust, Money Advice Service and Bristol City Council. We are all working together to prevent young people from leaving home early and becoming vulnerable, and making sure that if they are having problems at home they can get the support they need as early as possible. Where young people are unable to remain at home we make sure they do so safely, in a planned way and that they understand their options and how to access support.

Our Peer Education workshops are provided in schools and cover the realities of leaving home, including the financial challenges. The lessons are bespoke, designed and co-delivered with young people (aged 16-25) who have experienced homelessness or difficulties managing their money and who are willing to share some of their experiences with others. It has had a great impact on our young people, some of whom said, “I found the sessions eye-opening. It has helped because now I know what to do. It’s because she’s nearer my age. Because she was young when she became homeless so you can compare it to yourself.”

The aims of Peer Education are:       

Reduce youth homelessness Challenge misconceptions about leaving home Inspire and motivate young people to leave home in a planned way Encourage young people to take up support offered by schools and youth services.

Increase skills and confidence of peer educators Provide accreditation and qualifications, and increase the employability of peer educators Provide opportunities for young people to make a difference in their communities

If you would like to find out more about Peer Education and how it might help a young person you know please visit: www.1625ip.co.uk/What-We-Do/Upfront-Peer-Education.

END NOTES TO THE EDITOR

1625 Independent People 1625 Independent People (1625ip), exists to support young people aged 16-25 to build independent lives. We do this by helping young people to find and keep a safe, stable home and develop positive relationships. We offer non-judgmental support and advice, access to counselling, training and help finding jobs.

We support over 2000 young people every year.

With over 30 years’ experience of youth services, no other organisation in the area has the same depth of understanding of the sector. Independent People supports over 2000 young people every year and is a strong voluntary organisation which is at the forefront of support for young homeless people in the South West.

Independent People is a charitable registered society (once known as ‘an industrial and provident society’) in accordance with the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (no.23964R); we’re a non-profit making charity.

You can read the 1625 Independent People Annual Report or visit our website www.1625ip.co.uk for more information. You can also follow us on Twitter @1625ip, Facebook @Bristol1625ip and Instagram @1625ip.

For further press enquiries or interview opportunities, please contact: Fran Bainbridge Officer, 1625 Independent People Tel: 0117 317 7096 Mobile: 07984 578 509 Email: fran.bainbridge@1625ip.co.uk

PRESS INFORMATION ADD DATE, 2017

H&M Foundation launches partnership to support homeless young people in Bristol The non-profit H&M Foundation has made a three-year commitment supported by £500,000 to support homeless young people in the UK into employment. Through the Transforming Futures Programme, H&M Foundation is supporting charity 1625 Independent People in Bristol.

The Programme will deliver a specialist employability scheme that will help homeless young people in Bristol into work. It incorporates tailored one-to-one support; a bursary scheme aimed at helping them into education, employment and training pathways; and a new digital careers platform that will offer instant expert advice for employment opportunities.

The programme will be delivered into four UK charities– 1625 Independent People, Aberdeen Foyer, Benjamin Foundation, Roundabout – all part of UK-wide movement End Youth Homelessness, launched by Centrepoint “With a SEK 6 million donation (roughly £500,000) over three years, the H&M Foundation’s support will enable homeless young people to access education, employment and training opportunities, helping them to build successful futures as well as providing a long-term solution for youth homelessness, “says Diana Amini, Global Manager, H&M Foundation.

Homeless young people are 5 times more likely to be out of education, employment and training than the national average and are also some of the most marginalised and socially excluded in the UK. Unstable families and experiences of sleeping on the streets leave them with complex issues. By helping young people into education, employment and training as well as equipping them with life and work skills, they can obtain the tools they need to build sustainable futures.

“We have always known that the best route out of homelessness is through education and employment, and H&M Foundation have given us the ability to support more young people into college and work by providing this excellent programme,” says Dom Wood, CEO of 1625 Independent People.

“We are delighted that the H&M Foundation is supporting vulnerable young people out of homelessness. Each year, more than 83,000 young people are homelessness in the UK. Many become trapped in a cycle of repeated homelessness that is incredibly hard to break. Through the Transforming Futures Programme, the H&M Foundation is contributing to breaking that cycle by supporting young people onto employment pathways that are a vital step towards enabling them to escape homelessness for good,” says Nick Connolly, Head of Corporate, Centrepoint and Director of End Youth Homelessness

Notes to Editors H&M Foundation The H&M Foundation is a non-profit global foundation, privately funded by the Stefan Persson family, founders and main owners of H&M group. Its mission is to drive long lasting, positive change and improve living conditions by investing in people, communities and innovative ideas. Through partnerships with organizations around the globe, the H&M Foundation drives change within four focus areas; Education, Water, Equality and Planet. In addition to this, the Foundation can also provide emergency relief. Since 2013, the Stefan Persson family has donated 1.3 billion Swedish kronor ($177 million/ €144 million) to the H&M Foundation.

Visit hmfoundation.com and follow @hmfoundation on Facebook and Instagram.

1625 Independent People 1625 Independent People (1625ip) provide services to 16-25 year olds who are either homeless or at risk of being, supporting them to develop valuable independent living skills and to positively reboot their lives.

Housing is just the tip of the iceberg of 1625ip’s services and support – they also work with young people to provide essential local services including across a range of needs including: advice and one to one support; money management, budgeting and cooking skills; supporting with confidence, mental health and relationship building; family support to prevent homelessness; and in accessing employment, training and education.

For further information visit: www.1625ip.co.uk Centrepoint Centrepoint is the UK’s leading charity for homeless young people. It supports 9,000 16-25 year olds into housing and employment every year. Working directly in London, Yorkshire, Manchester and the North East of England, Centrepoint also partners with other organisations across the UK and gives homeless young people a voice through the Centrepoint Parliament. It conducts research and influences government policy with the overall aim of ending youth homelessness.

For further information visit www.centrepoint.org.uk End Youth Homelessness (EYH) Centrepoint is the lead administrator of End Youth Homelessness.

EYH is a national movement to end youth homelessness in the UK. It provides targeted local support to young people by bringing together grassroots charities that work together to tackle youth homelessness on a national scale. Each EYH charity works in its own way to meet local needs, giving homeless young people the opportunity to turn their lives around; build high aspirations and successful futures. EYH works directly with 26,000 young people that are amongst the most deprived in the UK. For further information visit www.eyh.org.uk Transforming Futures Programme Through the Transforming Futures Programme, the H&M Foundation is supporting the following four End Youth Homelessness charities to develop and increase capacity in their employability offer for homeless and vulnerable young people.

For further information visit: Aberdeen Foyer: www.aberdeenfoyer.com

The Benjamin Foundation: www.thebenjaminfoundation.co.uk Roundabout: www.roundabouthomeless.org

Press Release For Immediate Release

LandAid funds innovative modular housing projects to help prevent youth homelessness Monday 19 February 2018 – LandAid, the property industry charity, is funding two innovative modular housing projects to provide eight new homes for young people at risk of homelessness in the South-West. They will be the first modular housing projects LandAid has funded.

LandAid has awarded a total of £120,000 in grant funding to two new modular housing projects. The projects will be run by local homelessness charities 1625 Independent People and Somerset Care Repair. Once complete they will provide homes for eight young people.

In Bristol, a LandAid grant of £60,000 will enable 1625 Independent People (1625ip) to create five onebed modular housing units from shipping containers. The five LandAid-funded homes will be for young people who are moving on from supported housing, are ready for work and independent living, but are unable to afford private rented accommodation in the local area. The innovative project is inspired by the Startblok scheme in Amsterdam that houses students alongside young refugees. Young people moving on from supported housing with be housed alongside Bristol University students and they will be supported to develop their shared skills to self-manage the scheme together. It is being developed through a partnership between 1625ip, United Communities housing association, Bristol University’s Student Union and Bristol City Council.

In Somerset, a separate £60,000 grant to Somerset Care and Repair for their Build2Live scheme, which will enable young people to gain constructions skills. The three one-bed homes will be built using timber frame modular construction and energy saving technology to provide the most energy-efficient new homes possible.

Modular housing techniques can provide an effective solution for young people facing homelessness.

The homes are quick to build, cost-effective and crucially, they enable people to stay in their local area, rather than having to be relocated miles away from their support network of family and friends and their place of study or work.

Paul Morrish, Chief Executive of LandAid, says: “At LandAid, we believe in harnessing the energy, enthusiasm and innovation of the construction industry to transform the lives of vulnerable young people. We’re delighted to be funding these modular housing projects, following on from the success of a similar scheme in Amsterdam. We strongly believe the homes will help young homeless people, and those at risk of homelessness, to move on and lead successful, independent lives.”

Dom Wood, Chief Executive Officer of 1625 Independent People, says: “We have a lot of young people who are ready to move on from supported housing, but with the gap between rents and salaries or Local Housing Allowance, the opportunities are just not there. Having watched the improvements in modular design and build over the years and with young people loving the designs we have shown

them we decided that this is what is needed to bridge the affordability gap and still provide excellent housing.”

Mike Lake, Managing Director of Somerset Care and Repair, said: “We believe that by using modern construction techniques and timber-frame housing we can not only provide low-cost homes, but more importantly, provide opportunities for homeless people, especially those in their early twenties, to learn new and practical skills. We hope that we can create a model that can be rolled out across the county, and possibly further, that creates jobs, housing and a future for younger homeless people who struggle the most.”

Notes to editors About LandAid: LandAid is the property industry charity, working to end youth homelessness in the UK. We bring the property industry together to support charities delivering life-changing services for young people who are or have been homeless, or who are at risk of homelessness in the future. Through a unique network of corporate partners, we invest funding and expertise where we can achieve lasting impact.

For further information about LandAid, please contact Emily Hamilton, Communications and Marketing Manager, on 020 3102 7190 or email emily.hamilton@landaid.org. www.landaid.org twitter.com/landaid Instagram/LandAid_Charity

About 1625 Independent People: 1625 Independent People (1625ip), exists to support young people aged 16-25 to build independent lives. They do this by helping young people to find and keep a safe, stable home and develop positive relationships. They offer non-judgmental support and advice, access to counselling, training and help finding jobs, supporting over 2000 young people every year.

With over 30 years’ experience of youth services, no other organisation in the area has the same depth of understanding of the sector. Independent People is a strong voluntary organisation which is strategically relevant and at the forefront of support provision for young homeless people in the South West.

Independent People is a charitable registered society (once known as ‘an industrial and provident society’) in accordance with the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (no.23964R); we’re a non-profit making charity.

For further press enquiries or interview opportunities, please contact Fran Bainbridge, Communications Officer on 0117 317 7096 / 07984 578 509 or email fran.bainbridge@1625ip.co.uk www.1625ip.co.uk Twitter/1625ip Facebook.com/Bristol1625ip/ Instagram/1625ip