Last winter The Clock Tower Sanctuary supported over 1000 visits by homeless young people who had nowhere to call home.

83,000 young people experience homelessness every year and the South East has the second highest rate of homeless applications in England after London.

It may come as a surprise to learn that the majority of homeless young people who come to The Clock Tower Sanctuary are homeless because of relationship breakdowns meaning they have nowhere to call ‘home’.

The young people have usually experienced extremely challenging early lives.
Many come from broken or dysfunctional homes. Occasionally their early experiences include neglect and/or abuse in households where alcohol or drug dependence and/or violence are routine. Others may have behavioural or mental health problems that become unmanagable for their families.

When a young person leaves home because their situation has become unbearable, initially they often turn to other extended family and friends – sleeping on mates’ sofas for a while – becoming part of the ‘hidden homeless’. But this can’t last forever. Once their hospitality has been exhausted, they may end up sleeping rough or in temporary/ emergency accommodation.

Faced with this situation, young people often experience a sense of crisis. They rarely have any funds, may have little support, be separated from friends and family and often lack the knowledge, skills, or confidence to stay safe and to deal with their situation. They are at risk of their lives spiraling out of control.

Crisis Support Services – including access to food, showers,
laundry, computers, telephone, postal address and dentist visits to help young people cope with practical problems that arise from homelessness

Move-On Support – via structured one-to-one caseworking,
monthly activities, life skills and mentoring schemes to help a young person become unstuck, unlock their potential and prevent further decline with the goal to be able to live independently.

£5 could pay for a young person to have a shower, wash
their clothes and prepare and eat a hot meal.

£20 could provide a young person with new shoes or a shirt and tie to attend a job interview/wear on the first day at their new job.

£200 could train a volunteer to support young homeless people.

£500 could pay for the centre to be open for a day.

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