Youth organisations rally to support young rough sleepers

Charity data shows that, since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, 11 per cent of rough sleepers in London have been under the age of 25.

According to figures from St Mungos, the number of young people sleeping rough during the pandemic increased by 48 per cent between July and September 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. 

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The number of young women rough sleeping doubled over the same period and the number of young homeless people who identify as LGBTQ+ remains disproportionately high, according to the charity.

The figures come as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that a fundraising campaign to support youth organisations working with young homeless people has reached £88,000 since the start of December.

The funds raised through the campaign which encourages Londonders to use contactless donation points in shops and train stations will be split between four charities working with young homeless Londoners: Depaul, akt, Centrepoint and New Horizon Youth Centre. 

Meanwhile, TV and sport stars have raised £3,366 for the Street Soccer Foundation, a Kent-based sport for change charity.

The funds were raised at a celebrity charity football match at Maidstone United FC’s stadium.

Footballers Jamie O’Hara and Harriet Pavlou, reality TV star Joe Sealey, singer James Arthur and Youtuber Chunkz all took to the pitch to help the charity.

The Street Soccer Foundation supports homeless and vulnerable young people in Kent. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also met with youth homeless charity Centrepoint and charity supporting children in care Become to discuss issues facing care leavers which often lead to homelessness.

It’s lovely to be back at the @FoundlingMuseum and see how they’re continuing to help to transform the lives of young people, but also hear some of the difficulties that care leavers have faced over the years including during the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/tSGqCiaruj

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) January 19, 2022

Chief executive of Become Katharine Sacks-Jones said: “It was great that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge listened so carefully as we shared what young people have told us about leaving care and the ‘care cliff’ they experience – where support and important relationships disappear overnight. We want to see a care system without cliff edges, where young people can expect love, stability, and safety as they move into adulthood.”

Centrepoint wrote on Twitter: “We joined our Patron, Prince William, to shine a light on young care leavers. 

“Around 40 per cent of the people we support are care leavers and Seyi, our chief executive, shared the critical work we're doing to support them. We will overcome these challenges, by working together.”