New Horizon Youth Centre
Every year, thousands of young people across the capital face homelessness because of family breakdown, domestic abuse, poverty, experiences of violence, or war and persecution in their home country. The support they need often isn’t there from local councils and the housing crisis, cuts to services and a difficult job market mean that they risk becoming homeless. All too often their struggle to build a better life is lost in the daily battle of trying to find somewhere to sleep. That’s why New Horizon Youth Centre exists.
‘Youth Centre’ may be in our name, but we are so much more.
We are a vital support network for 16-24 year olds with nowhere else to go. Through the holistic services we provide at our day centre and via our outreach team we support thousands of young people facing homelessness to increase their health, improve their economic circumstances and find somewhere that they can call home. For seven days of the week, almost every day of the year we offer everything from a hot cooked meal and showers, right through to advice and counselling. More than anything we offer a hope for a brighter future.
At the best of times, life is extremely difficult for the young homeless people New Horizon serves. Now, as we emerge from a global pandemic and as many are welcoming the relaxing of lockdown, we are deeply concerned about the housing need amongst young people as they are disproportionately affected by the social and economic challenges that the fallout from Covid-19 will bring. Their need for support could not be more urgent.
Given the challenges that young people experiencing homelessness face in London, it is no surprise that they tell us that surviving is a talent, but we believe that these talents should be used for so much more.
For as long as young people are homeless and vulnerable in London, we will be on a mission to give their potential a home.
We are looking forward to working together with Shelter Community to provide young people a home in the Youth Community Home.