Hi Mel, being a young person on the National Youth Reference Group which St. Basil's manage and a founder member of the Youth Homeless Parliament (which is managed by St Basil's again) - I have seen first hand of the work that the organisation does.
However, I would disagree that the Government is doing enough - funding for youth homelessness organisations is constantly under threat. A prime example of this is Worcestershire County Council's horrendous Future Lives Consultation which was in progress a couple of years ago, and that was wanting to cut over 50% from homeless/Supporting People funding.
I do agree that adult homeless charities aren't AS heavily funded, but I would argue that the situations behind why the older generations are homeless tend to be less accidental (appreciating people who don't make themselves intentionally homeless).
DCLG said this in a letter to me the other day: Since 2010 the Government has committed £15 million to help 1,600 young people aged 16-25 to get into education, employment or training.
£15 MILLION over 5+ years to help just 1,600 young people?! Is there a typo in the number of young people they're helping?! 1,600 young people probably present as homeless in London, Manchester and Birmingham in one year alone.
Government are so out of touch with both youth and older homelessness, but they should be committing more into helping our future workers, politicians, homeless prevention workers and academics - AKA young people. If they were doing enough, organisations and charities like St Basil's would be downsizing not because of cuts to funding but rather decrease in demand... Yet they're not. The demand is getting more, yet the money is constantly being under scrutiny.
Long winded answer I know - but I think it is important that this comes back to the top of the political and public agenda. St Basil's does amazing work - Jean Templeton and I have had many conversations about that, but on the Government/Parliamentary level, sadly it's not getting the attention it deserves.
Thanks,
Hugo Sugg
@HugoSugg
Mel - 8 years ago
As I work for st Basils and actually see the huge amount that goes into youth homelessness I do feel that a lot is done for youth homelessness. It's over 25 homeless that are screwed with no duty and no services or funding. 16-25 homelessness has loads of funding! As an experienced person in this field actively working in a youth homelessness prevention service I'd say yes they are doing enough.
Hi Mel, being a young person on the National Youth Reference Group which St. Basil's manage and a founder member of the Youth Homeless Parliament (which is managed by St Basil's again) - I have seen first hand of the work that the organisation does.
However, I would disagree that the Government is doing enough - funding for youth homelessness organisations is constantly under threat. A prime example of this is Worcestershire County Council's horrendous Future Lives Consultation which was in progress a couple of years ago, and that was wanting to cut over 50% from homeless/Supporting People funding.
I do agree that adult homeless charities aren't AS heavily funded, but I would argue that the situations behind why the older generations are homeless tend to be less accidental (appreciating people who don't make themselves intentionally homeless).
DCLG said this in a letter to me the other day: Since 2010 the Government has committed £15 million to help 1,600 young people aged 16-25 to get into education, employment or training.
£15 MILLION over 5+ years to help just 1,600 young people?! Is there a typo in the number of young people they're helping?! 1,600 young people probably present as homeless in London, Manchester and Birmingham in one year alone.
Government are so out of touch with both youth and older homelessness, but they should be committing more into helping our future workers, politicians, homeless prevention workers and academics - AKA young people. If they were doing enough, organisations and charities like St Basil's would be downsizing not because of cuts to funding but rather decrease in demand... Yet they're not. The demand is getting more, yet the money is constantly being under scrutiny.
Long winded answer I know - but I think it is important that this comes back to the top of the political and public agenda. St Basil's does amazing work - Jean Templeton and I have had many conversations about that, but on the Government/Parliamentary level, sadly it's not getting the attention it deserves.
Thanks,
Hugo Sugg
@HugoSugg
As I work for st Basils and actually see the huge amount that goes into youth homelessness I do feel that a lot is done for youth homelessness. It's over 25 homeless that are screwed with no duty and no services or funding. 16-25 homelessness has loads of funding! As an experienced person in this field actively working in a youth homelessness prevention service I'd say yes they are doing enough.