23 December 2019
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Depaul UK is a national homelessness charity working with young people aged 16-25. Its aim is to end homelessness and its vision is a society where everyone has a place to call home.
Over the past thirty years, it has provided accommodation to tens of thousands of people with nowhere else to go. From a single shelter in London, Depaul UK has grown to deliver services across the UK and expanded its model of delivery to meet a wide range of needs for those who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Through its work with young people, the charity knows that breakdowns in family relationships are one of the main reasons why people end up without a home. This is why it works as a mediator between young people and their parents or guardians to ensure that they can return home, or move their relationship forward in a healthy manner.
Over the past six years, Depaul UK has received more than £9.5 million, raised thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Ambassador, Fiona Phillips visited the charity to find out more about the support and services that it provides and heard first hand how the work, made possible by players, is transforming the lives of young people who are homeless.
Depaul UK works with people in prisons to make sure that they don't face sleeping on the streets when they're released. Its education programme in schools ensures children and young people are better able to manage their emotional well-being and relationships, helping to make sure they are fully aware of the risks of leaving home and where to find support.
By housing young people in long-term accommodation projects, Depaul UK supports them to ensure that they have the necessary skills to move into the community and live independently. The national network of Nightstop services places young people in the home of trained volunteers to prevent them from spending a night on the streets.
Funds raised by players has been transformational for the charity, helping it meet a growing need for services.
Support from players has enabled its Nightstop services to expand into the North East, Cumbria and Greater Manchester. Last year alone, it was able to provide 9,885 beds per night for young people who had nowhere else to turn.