BIG grant will help to prevent homelessness

Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, has been awarded 76,342 pounds to continue its project, which sees formerly homeless young people using their experiences to advise and guide other local youngsters on the issue of homelessness and how to avoid it.

The cash comes from BIG's Reaching Communities programme, which supports projects that improve the lives of people across England.

Shelter will recruit and train 20 formerly homeless young people to deliver sessions to around 4,000 young people in local secondary schools, colleges, youth clubs, pupil referral units and youth offending teams.

They will talk to the young people about a range of issues related to homelessness, including where to go to for advice and support, and how to make a planned move or leave home without losing the support of the family.

Sessions will also cover subjects such as misconceptions that exist about homelessness, how easy it can be to find yourself without a permanent home, safeguards, services and entitlements.  

Adam Sampson, chief executive of Shelter, said: "This money will make a massive difference in helping to prevent homelessness among young people across Gloucestershire and provide vital support and advice to young people who are at risk of becoming homeless."