Story
Christmas is perhaps the hardest time of year for those with no one and nowhere to go. Temperatures are inhospitable, especially after dark. Rain often pours down and streets become unsafe as the merry crowds disperse for the night. While many of us go back to our warm, cosy, festive homes, those young people are left fighting the elements, facing damp and danger in their own home, or the reality of another night on a stranger's sofa.
For young people who are homeless or living in unsafe or unsuitable accommodation, No Limits provides a lifeline.
We are not just talking about a handful of young people. In the last year, we have supported 318 young people who were either homeless, sofa surfing or living in unsafe accommodation.
Problems at Christmastime are increasing too. From 2021 to 2023, the number of young people needing help with serious housing issues in the run up to Christmas more than doubled (56 to 121). We are expecting to see similar numbers this year.
Overall, demand for housing advice and support from No Limits has risen by 25% in the last two years.
If it wasn’t for No Limits I’d be living in the mould or moved out and lost my flat. It was affecting my health.
How do we support these young people?
•Providing emergency provisions, including sleeping bags, coats, hats and gloves, food vouchers and sanitary products.
•Having our Advice Centre on Southampton High Street open and available to be used as a safe, warm space. It's open for over 40 hours each week across six days, including two evenings.
•Facilities at our Advice Centre are also available for use by homeless young people, including a washing machine and tumble dryer, a shower and computers for internet access.
•Finding them emergency accommodation if they have nowhere to go, or their current living situation is unsafe.
•Supporting them to apply for support from other organisations such as Basics Banks, housing associations and Southampton City Council Homebid.
•Making contact with other support teams, such as Street Homeless Prevention Team.
•Helping them to make referrals to other specialist services, such as refuges and domestic violence charities.
•Providing a range of services all under one roof, meaning that young people can access help from No Limits for other support needs, such as mental health, employment and finances at the same time as receiving housing support.
All our support is free and appointments aren’t needed to speak to our youth workers, so young people can go to our Advice Centre and get emotional and practical help from trained staff whenever they need.
I came in for support with my housing. I was really low, stressed and felt like I wasn’t being helped by the council. No Limits has helped me get housed and by keeping in touch, giving me clear advice. You have also been really kind and not judged me when I felt lonely. I feel much happier now I have a flat and a job.
Jacob's story
Jacob first buzzed the door to No Limits’ Advice Centre on a crisp Tuesday morning. He had spent the previous few nights on the streets, having been kicked out of his rented accommodation. He had had little to eat and only his coat to protect him from the elements. Our youth worker, Sam, welcomed him into the Advice Centre and brought him toast and a cup of tea. Sam sat with him for a while as Jacob opened up about how he'd lost his job after missing work due to his mental health and couldn’t afford his rent. With no family or friends nearby, Jacob had slept rough.
While Jacob used the shower and laundry facilities at our Advice Centre, Sam contacted the Street Homeless Prevention Team with the location of his rough sleeping, as well as getting him a sleeping bag, hat and gloves. Sam told Jacob that he could come and use the Advice Centre as a warm, safe space whenever it was open. Together, they contacted a supported housing organisation and Jacob completed a referral. He then completed applications for Universal Credit and the Basics Bank with Sam’s support.
Jacob was housed by the supported housing organisation shortly after and now lives in his own flat through the council. He attended No Limits’ Work Club, where youth workers supported him in gaining a new job as well as attending our Safe House and Emotional Resilience groups, getting support for his mental health. Jacob is happier than before and is grateful for his new start.
I thank No Limits for the kindness I have been shown and for getting me off the street where I was so scared.
Please donate
To help young people like Jacob, please donate to No Limits. Every pound goes directly towards supporting young people in our area.
⚫ Donate £10 to buy a keep warm kit, including hat and gloves, hand warmers and hot chocolate.
⚫ Donate £20 to help support our Advice Centre, meaning homeless young people have a safe space to go and can use our facilities.
⚫ Donate £30 to pay for two sessions of youth worker support. These sessions could be life changing, helping the young person find safe accommodation, set up a bank account or apply for benefits.
Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy. Just wanna say a massive thank you to everyone at No Limits for just being there whenever I need just someone to listen to me and just everything you’ve all done for me this year and the years before and even the years to come. I honestly don’t think I would still be alive if I didn’t have you lot and I’m not just saying that like honestly you’ve all helped me so much and I appreciate every single bit of it. Just a massive thank you honestly you’re just a major blessing 🥹☺️❤️