West London YMCA helps young people build a future.
Can you help us?
Each and every night of the year we provide shelter to over 400 young people with a wide range of support needs.
Your donation can make a real difference to the lives of young people who have no one else to turn to.
Project feature
LINK - the mediation service for young people and their families
West London YMCA @ London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
“The majority of young people say they feel listened to and the service has helped them think through their options”
When family relations have completely broken down and a young person is at risk of becoming homeless, the Hammersmith and Fulham Mediation and Community Services offer a way forward. They also run workshops for young people in schools, pupil referral unit and youth centres in the borough, educating 14 – 17 year olds about the reality of youth homelessness and promoting the mediation service.
Last year 40% of young people returned home through the support of the mediation service.
Cleo Lewis, our Single Assessment Worker, has had 96 young people referred to her service in the Move-On team since January. She ensures that if a young person does become homeless, they are assessed and placed in supported accommodation that is appropriate to their need, with a key worker to help them move on.
For most of these young people they have been excluded from their family home and have left home with little more than their clothes. They do not have the essentials that they need for independent living, nor the money to invest in things like kitchen starter packs and bedding and towels. At the assessment centre the young people are given bedding but they can not take this with them when they move on to live more independently.
Cleo writes,
'I believe that by providing these basic essentials for the young people that require them we will be helping them to settle in more quickly and help them have a positive start to their independent living. It will also ensure that key workers spend less time applying for loans and grants for these clients and will therefore be able to spend more time supporting these young people in seeking education, employment or training.'
A typical starter kit would cost:
- £9 Set of towels
- £9.50 3 piece stainless steel set of pans
- £15 Duvet cover/ pillow case
- £20 Single duvet and pillow bedding set
- £30 6 piece place set, crockery, glasses, mugs
Can you help?
Your donation, or offer of practical help, would make a real difference in these children’s lives.
Contact:
Fundraising
45 St. Mary's Road
Ealing W5 5RQ
Telephone: 020 8832 1572
Email:
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Fundraising
