Depaul UK

Don't miss our free online session on 11th September, 12pm-1pm, where we'll dive into the work of Depaul UK's National Schools Programme. Discover how our dynamic and interactive school workshops are educating children about homelessness and how we help professionals to spot those who are at risk so that they can support them. You’ll hear from Laura Munt our Director of Prevention, Hannah Collins, National Education Programme Manager, and front-line staff from the Education team. Register now: https://bit.ly/4g1orrV

Congratulations to our corporate partner, OSB Group, for their fantastic effort in the Birmingham Charity 5-A-side football tournament where they raised vital funds for young people experiencing homelessness. Three teams took on the challenge, with one team now advancing to the Nationals in September.  The team won £150, and along with their fundraising efforts and OSB’s fund-matching, they raised an incredible £620.  Team Captain Jai Bains said: “We had a great day at Business Fives in Powerleague Birmingham on behalf of our chosen charity, Depaul UK. On our way to winning the Europa League, we overcame some tough matches, including a comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 in the final. The team were thrilled to take part to raise funds for young people in the community” Thank you for your continued support!  

We’re excited to announce that Depaul UK has kicked off a fantastic new partnership with Multiplex at the Holborn Viaduct project. To mark the beginning of this collaboration, their team generously volunteered their time at one of our services, going above and beyond in their efforts. The team spent the entire day transforming two overgrown gardens at one of our young people’s support services in north London. Their hard work will have a lasting impact, creating a more welcoming space for the young people living there. And they’re not stopping there! The Multiplex team is already eager to return, with exciting plans to returf the garden, add decking, and plant greenery to create a beautiful and relaxing outdoor space. Patrick Brooker from Multiplex said: "It was an absolute pleasure to volunteer with Depaul UK. Seeing the impact of our work at the end of the day was so rewarding, knowing the space will now be enjoyed by the young people. We had a fantastic time, and we hope to support again very soon!" A huge thanks to the entire team for their hard work and dedication! 👏

"Volunteering is about community, connection, and purpose. Every day, I felt like I was making an enormous difference. It made me realise that I wanted to support young people to be the best version of themselves.” Meet Megan, whose incredible journey with Depaul UK began during the pandemic. Feeling isolated and seeking purpose, she started as a volunteer Nightstop driver. Nightstop offers young people a safe place to stay when they have nowhere else to turn. Megan said: "My job was to drive young people, who’d have otherwise slept on the streets that night, to a trained and vetted volunteer host’s home. “I always remember thinking it must be quite the transition for a young person to go from what could be quite an uncomfortable situation of having nowhere to sleep to another uncomfortable situation of meeting a stranger - or two if you include me! I was there to be a friendly transition on their journey.” Her passion for helping others led her to volunteer as a mental health counsellor, where she discovered her true calling. Now, Megan is a full-time family mediator with our Reconnect service, helping families rebuild relationships and reduce the risk of homelessness. Thank you to Megan for making a tangible difference to the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. Feeling inspired? Find out more about our volunteering opportunities: https://lnkd.in/e5SF9C-6

“A lot of us are very capable, very hardworking, we just got a false start’. Speaking on behalf of the136,000 young people who reported themselves as homeless last year, these young people with lived experience came together to send an important message to the new Government. That they matter and that we need a plan to end youth homelessness now! Join the #planforthe136 campaign https://lnkd.in/gb9zGWUn

It’s going to hit 32 degrees in some parts of the country today. While most of us are soaking up the sunshine, it’s important to remember that the heat can be dangerous for people living on the streets. Staying cool and hydrated isn't easy when you don’t have a home to go to. Hot weather can cause people to become unwell through dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, and it can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, lung problems, and other diseases. In extreme weather like this, many areas activate SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol). This means extra support and emergency shelters are made available to help people sleeping rough stay safe and cool. If you see someone sleeping rough, you can also help by letting local outreach teams know through the StreetLink website: https://lnkd.in/evTVUYBK.

Homelessness could get worse before it gets better. Alex Szorad, one of our housing advisers, spoke to the Big Issue about an average workday, his hopes for a new government strategy to end homelessness and his worries about what the Autumn will bring if the new Government does not take immediate action. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_xWk5Dx

From sleeping on night buses to giving a speech in the House of Lords – meet Casey, our inspirational client ambassador. Casey’s story is one of incredible resilience. After facing homelessness and sleeping on night buses, they found stability with our support and have since become a powerful advocate. Now, Casey is using their lived experience as one of our client ambassadors and had the opportunity to deliver a powerful speech in the House of Lords. Their message to those struggling with homelessness is "Don't give up. Take action early and explore all available options." Find out how Casey turned their challenging past into a platform for change and learn how they’re using their experience to support others. Read more about Casey’s journey on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eUheJqaq

Responding to the latest homelessness statistics in England covering January to March 2024, Alexia Murphy, CEO of youth homelessness charity, Depaul UK said: "These figures are a clear reflection of how broken our housing and welfare system is, and it’s deeply concerning. Behind each statistic is a person deserving of a safe place to live and the support of their community, collectively they hold a mirror up to society that we ignore at our peril. "While we're optimistic and hopeful that our new Government is committed to a strategy to end homelessness, we know that short-term action is also needed, otherwise things are likely to get worse. “As we approach Autumn, we’re facing multiple converging factors which could potentially trigger a further increase in homelessness, including local authorities struggling with lack of funding, and early prison releases potentially leaving people with nowhere to go. Also, while legislation to abolish Section 21 'no fault evictions’ is much needed, it could also trigger a wave of evictions as landlords seek to secure their properties in the short-term. “We hope that the Government acts now to avoid these risks. For example, we are urging them to provide more funding for long-term homelessness accommodation and support programmes, instead of councils having to pay out huge amounts for temporary accommodation, which is what is happening right now.” Read more in the Big Issue: https://lnkd.in/eDqqxQ5A

A brilliant effort by our friends and corporate partners OSB Group who recently did a Weighted Walk challenge and helped to clean up Birmingham’s city canals at the same time. The team of seven walked 15 miles from Birmingham to Wolverhampton, completing the challenge in an impressive five-hours, collecting 60kg of litter along the way – all to raise money for young people at risk of homelessness. Hannah Woolger, Strategic Performance Manager at OSB Group said: " When we found out about the Weighted Walk challenge, it was a perfect fit as we were planning to do a sponsored team litter pick as well. Our team was really keen to contribute to the company’s 2024 donations for Depaul UK.” Congratulations to everyone who took part and thank you for supporting young people experiencing homelessness.