Rectory Homes helps local charity Youth Concern support homeless & vulnerable young people
‘Is there anything practical that Rectory Homes could offer in the run up to Christmas?’ Rectory Homes’ Technical Manager Natalie Armstrong emailed Hannah Asquith, Youth Concern’s CEO. ‘I could ask around the office to pull together some food parcels, Christmas presents, young people’s stuff?’
Hannah was only too keen to accept Natalie’s generous offer. She replied: ‘When homeless young people turn up at Youth Concern’s door, they’re often in dirty or ripped clothing. Might your colleagues be happy to donate supermarket gift cards? We would use them to buy clothing essentials like tracksuit bottoms, tshirts, hoodies, underwear. We could buy clothes in the young person’s size, give them the clean warm clothes to wear while we wash their own clothes in our Drop-in Centre washing machine.’
Rectory Homes’ Chairman Simon Vickers who lives just a few miles from Youth Concern’s base in Aylesbury, was only too happy to help. ‘At this time of year, when many of us are surrounded by family and friends in the warmth of our homes, it is terrible to think that so many young people are out in the cold, in unsuitable clothing, and with nowhere to go. Our team at Rectory feel passionately about this cause and we are proud to support Youth Concern, particularly at this time of year.’
The timing couldn’t have been better. On 14th December, local charity Youth Concern shared its research into youth homelessness with the media, and organisations best placed to improve the plight of 16-25 year olds in accommodation crises. The research found that compared to the national average, Aylesbury Vale has 22% more young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Youth Concern’s own youth homelessness service, called Nightstop Aylesbury, provides emergency overnight accommodation.
“I spent my first homeless night in a car. It was so cold – it was just before Christmas. I spent another night behind an abandoned building. And I slept on friends’ sofas until they got tired of me being there. Youth Concern were amazing … When I got a job interview I had clothes that looked professional. I knew I was homeless but I didn’t want to look homeless. Now I have a job, and somewhere good to live. I owe so much to the charity.” Maja, aged 23
Hannah Asquith, CEO of Youth Concern says:
“When we think about homelessness, we usually picture someone sleeping rough, in an underpass or by a train station. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. We don’t often think about teenagers and young adults without a safe bed. Our report reveals the shocking extent of the youth homelessness crisis here in Aylesbury Vale. We want to raise awareness of Youth Concern’s emergency accommodation service, Nightstop Aylesbury, and recruit more volunteers to offer a safe bed, warm meal, shower and breakfast to young people in need.”
Get in touch to find out more about Nightstop Aylesbury, register to become a volunteer host or driver. Call 01296 431183, email nightstop@youthconcern.org.uk or see www.youthconcern.org.uk
