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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 transitioningfrom 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 incrisis.

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 previousmonth 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, PilionsECO Service, as well as self-referrals and community members calling the project.

Ethnicity:

White British 6 Irish 1 Caribbean 3

Oriental 0 White Other 0 Asian 1

Black Other 0 E10 2 African 12

Mixed Heritage 5 North African 0

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Onward Referrals To: Age Range:

Gender:

Sexuality:

Substance Misuse:

Boroughs:

Islington HPU 6

Clearing House 7

Crisis Team Mental health 5YET 3

Womens Refuge DV 1

Simba Housing 1

One Housing 2

NSNO 2

The Passage 1

Carr Gomm 1

Hornsey YMCA 4

Centrepoint 1

Camden Housing Options 2

Islington Supported Housing 4

Private Landlord 3

Stonewall Housing 1

BCH 2

Under 16 2 7%

16 - 18 1 3%19 - 21 18 60%

22 - 24 9 30%

Male 18 60%

Female 12 40%

Heterosexual 26 87%Gay 1 3%

Lesbian 2 7%

Bisexual 1 3%

Not stated 0

Primary %

Alcohol 10 33%

Heroin 1 3%

Cocaine 4 13%

Cannabis 20 67%

Khat 0

Locations %

Islington 12 40%

Camden 2 7%

Westminster 3 10%

Haringey 3 10%

Hackney 0

Enfield 1 3%

Brent 1 3%

Milton Keynes 1 3%

Liverpool 2 7%

Cardiff 2 7%

Eire 2 75

Not known 1 3%

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Employment, Training , Education:

(new service and support being offered to the young people).

Leap 3 Morrisons 1

Princes Trust 4 Pret a Mange 1

Kensington and Chelsea College 2 Property Developers 1Mace Construction Ltd 1 Arsenal Learning Zone 4

Dobly Sound Ltd 1 London School of Fashion 1

Diversity Drama school 1 BABEL 1

Painting and Decorating 1 WAP 1

Restaurants 3 Primark 1

CASE STUDIES:

Joie:

15 year old, evicted by her parents.

Joie was found at Kings Cross Station by

a member of public. She wasconcerned that Joie looked distressed

and was not coping with the 6 black

bags.

Joie explained that she was in the careof 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 herthings 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 fosterfamily.

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 CentralLondon. 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 firsttenancy 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 hardand 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 hissentence and begin life with a clean slate.

3 young people were referred to YET Team in connection with Gang issuesand 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