New Horizon is here for young people facing homelessness when they have nowhere else to go. With your support we can help all young Londoners, like Jack, find a safe place to call home.
At 18, Jack* was studying for his A-Levels. Him and his mother were struggling to make ends meet to afford the rent and bills on their London flat. It was tough now it was just the two of them. His mum was constantly working, always taking double shifts, but it wasn’t enough. As a last resort Jack’s mum started renting their flat out for short-term holiday lets to earn extra income.
But this meant Jack had nowhere to go.
He had been going to his best friend Ben’s for sleepovers since they were little; he had a nice house, new game consoles and his mum, Jenny, was always so kind. So when Jack’s flat was being let out to visitors, he started asking Ben if he could stay at his. For a while, sleepovers were happening most nights a week.
Eventually he felt he was outstaying his welcome. Jenny never said anything but there were signs – his stuff was always in the hallway, jokes about how he was always staying over. He begged his mum to let him come home to study properly.
A few weeks later Jack and his mum were evicted. Jack didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t go to Jenny’s again… could he?
Jack is one of thousands of young people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves homeless in London.
One Autumn night, when it was cold and raining Jack finally texted Ben. At 2am he was welcomed in by Jenny with a big hug, some dinner and the promise to find him some help.
Last year, over 15,000 young people were homeless in London, a 10% increase from the year before.
But with your support, young people don’t have to face homelessness alone.
New Horizon Youth Centre is the only day centre for homeless young people in London, giving immediate support to meet basic needs, and long-term guidance to face the future.
Jack and Jenny turned to New Horizon and Jack was given expert housing advice and help advocating for himself to find somewhere safe he could call home.
New Horizon doesn’t just stop at housing though, we know it takes more than a roof to have a safe and secure home. We provide support to help young people with all aspects of their lives – from mental health counselling to jobs, education and training support.
Jack has now been able to complete his a-levels and start university. He joins our weekly football training and still occasionally comes for our evening supper clubs.
By giving young people access to a safe home, health and life skills support we empower young people to raise their aspirations and have hope for a new future.
When a young person finds themselves homeless in London, New Horizon Youth Centre is there with urgent support to give them the room they need to thrive.
With your help, young people can find a safe place to call home.
