Group give up good night's sleep to raise awareness of homelessness
From Nina Scott on 19 December 2007
A group of young people spent the night at Kingshurst Youth Centre as part of a sleep-in to raise awareness of the plight of homelessness, particularly affecting young people in the Borough.
The group of six who took part in the event raised £100 - which was supported and sponsored by Solihull Community Housing - for the St Basil’s homeless hostel which work with young people at risk of homelessness across the West Midlands.
During the night they watched a film which highlighted the realities of homelessness and identified how important it was to keep the support agencies going and make people aware of the issues of homelessness.
Solihull Youth Service recently completed a piece of research into young people and homelessness in the Borough. The report highlighted a number of recommendations to improve services that help to tackle and prevent homelessness for young people in Solihull.
Jim Crawshaw, Housing Strategy Officer, for Solihull Council, said: "Young people can become homeless for a variety of reasons. In the recent study approximately 74% of young people said the reason they became homeless was because family/friends asked them to leave their previous accommodation. This can be for a variety of reasons, many of which are outside the control of the young person."
Solihull Council and partners aim to implement a number of the recommendations over the next 12 months. This will include increasing the amount of temporary accommodation available, particularly for young people who have no where they are able to stay.
Young people who are affected by homelessness issues can also get information, advice and guidance through the B@se service at Kingshurst Youth Centre. It runs drop-ins sessions on Monday and Wednesday between 1-5pm.
On Thursdays between 5-7pm visitors can also discuss job issues at its Job Club and on Fridays the team are there between 1-5pm to give advice on sexual health matters.
For further information contact Denise Lewis 0121 717 5809.
For more information contact:
Louise Aldrich on 0121 704 6164, Julie Turner on 0121 704 6136 or Nina Scott on 0121 704 6444.
www.solihull.gov.uk
Nina Scott 0121 704 6444
Email: nscott@solihull.gov.uk