Young Persons Crash Pad Shelter March 2012 Report

Caledonian Methodist Church

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Crash Pad -YOUTH SHELTER

Introduction: The youth shelter idea grew out of this immediate need for youth who are transitioning from children to adults (17 to 23 years old). Pilion found that there was no such precedent set before in London. This was the first youth shelter model. Never before in London had any organisation created provision for 16 to 23yr olds. Pilion, and Cally Methodists worked in partnership to create a homely, safe environment for young people in crisis. Referrals were open to all services that specialise in working with Transitional Youth (17 to 23yr olds). We received 22 referrals during the month. This was a 19% decrease on the previous month due to lack of move on projects for the young people. We turned away 2 to 3 referrals a night due to lack of space. The young people sited the follow issues for their homelessness: Bereavement, death of a parent, leaving care, family breakdown, relationship breakdowns, rough sleeping and running away from gangs. Referrals during March 2012 came from New Horizon, Alone in London, The Metropolitan Police, Princes Trust, Centrepoint, Islington Housing Aid Centre, Pilions ECO Service, as well as self-referrals and community members calling the project. Ethnicity:

White British Oriental Black Other Mixed Heritage

6 0 0 5

Irish White Other E10 North African

1 0 2 0

Caribbean Asian African

3 1 12

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Onward Referrals To: Islington HPU Clearing House Crisis Team Mental health YET Womens Refuge DV Simba Housing One Housing NSNO The Passage Carr Gomm Hornsey YMCA Centrepoint Camden Housing Options Islington Supported Housing Private Landlord Stonewall Housing BCH Substance Misuse: Primary Alcohol Heroin Cocaine Cannabis Khat 10 1 4 20 0 % 33% 3% 13% 67% 6 7 5 3 1 1 2 2 1 1 4 1 2 4 3 1 2

Age Range:

Under 16 16 - 18 19 - 21 22 - 24 Gender: Male Female Sexuality: Heterosexual Gay Lesbian Bisexual Not stated 18 12

2 1 18 9

7% 3% 60% 30%

60% 40%

26 1 2 1 0

87% 3% 7% 3%

Boroughs: Locations Islington Camden Westminster Haringey Hackney Enfield Brent Milton Keynes Liverpool Cardiff Eire Not known 12 2 3 3 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 3% 3% 3% 7% 7% 75 3% % 40% 7% 10% 10%

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Employment, Training , Education: (new service and support being offered to the young people). Leap Princes Trust Kensington and Chelsea College Mace Construction Ltd Dobly Sound Ltd Diversity Drama school Painting and Decorating Restaurants 3 4 2 1 1 1 1 3 Morrisons Pret a Mange Property Developers Arsenal Learning Zone London School of Fashion BABEL WAP Primark 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1

CASE STUDIES: Joie: 15 year old, evicted by her parents. Joie was found at Kings Cross Station by a member of public. She was concerned that Joie looked distressed and was not coping with the 6 black bags. Joie explained that she was in the care of her grandparents and she had travelled to London to find her mother. The relationship her mother deteriorated 2 weeks after meeting her and they had an argument the night before and when she returned on Sunday she found all her things packed up and she was told to leave. Her grandparents were unhappy with her decision to leave them and they refused to take her back. The lady had heard of Pilion and the Cash Pad. She had also seen the ITN Interview and called the office. Jackie and the team moved quickly to contact Social Services and Childrens Services and a Social Worker was put in place to assess her and access her to Foster Care. While the out of hours Social Worker worked to find a suitable placement Joie came to the Crash Pad to be safe, warm and have someone to discuss her issues. Later that night, the Social Worker rang back and explained the care plan for Joie and a taxi was booked to collect her and take her to Uxbridge to her new foster family. We rang the next day and Joie was happy and liked the family and it seemed that she would be placed with the family for the long term. .

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Chance: 20 year old evicted from his hostel as he could not afford the rent. Chance had been homeless for 2 years. He had a tenancy in a young persons hostel in Central London. He found it difficult staying at the hostel after he completed his acting course as he wanted to work and not be on benefits anymore. He applied to an agency for work and was given a cleaning job at department store in Wembly. His salary was 172.00 per week. His rent was 168.00 per week plus 25.00 service charge. Chance stuggled to pay the rent and service charges and after building up rent arrears he was evicted back to the streets. This broke Chance as he had worked so hard to get out of th system only to find himself back to the beginning. He went back to his old youth project and found that now he was over 18yrs he could not get any help from them. He was referred to another service, which referred him to yet another service. One of the young people at the 3rd youth service spoke to him and told him about the Crash Pad. He contacted the office and asked for help. He came for an assessment and was found to be at risk and needing support and accessed the Crash Pad. Chance stayed at the shelter for a total of 6 weeks before he moved into his first tenancy and home. He moved into a Centrepoint supported young persons project which consists of 8 self contained flats with floating support for 12 months. The Team supported him in moving in, applying for a Communicty Care Grant, Restore Furniture Project, submitting HB forms and changing his benefits. In addition the Team assisted him in auditioning for a part in Babel and Cardboard Citizens and with the help of Megan from AWF he ahs applied to Identity Drama School and has a scholarship from Princes Trust. Chance received the chance he needed by the Crash Pad being there and he didnt end up having to rough sleep and waste his life. Instead he is working hard and giving back to his new community and enjoying life.

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Outcomes: Out of the 22 young people who accessed the shelter during March, all had been found support, housing, family connections and more. 2 Youth was supported to hand himself into the Police, so he could fininsh his sentence and begin life with a clean slate. 3 young people were referred to YET Team in connection with Gang issues and were moved out of the Borough. 5 Were referred and housed in the YMCA 1 young person was reconnected with her family and returned home. 3 clients were accepted to Broadways Clearing House and were given nominations to supported housing. 5 young people started apprenticeships. 7 were accepted to college 3 accessed drug services for their Cannabis misuse 3 young people accessed a private landlord scheme. 3 clients accessed Educational courses (ESOL) 6 young people accessed Councelling and/or Mental Health Services 1 young female was supported to access Highgate Mental Health Unit 3 young females were referred and accessed DV support and refuges 1 under 17 yr old female was connected to childrens social services and placed in Foster care.

16 young people are still in the shelter at the end of March. The need for Transitional Youth (17 to 23yrs olds) continues to increase as the Welfare Reforms and Budget Cuts seem to be affecting the youth of London the greatest. Without an ability to access education, housing, work and family this generation is very vulnerable and at risk. The shelter continues to receive at least 3 referrals a day for young people, for every successful move on we have 4 people waiting for the bed. We continue to ask for support from across the whole Community, Voluntary Sector and Business world without any success. Written by: Savvas Panas CEO The Pilion Trust

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