Support during COVID-19

Updated July 2021

Our day centre is currently open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10:30am and 3.30pm (with short closure between 1-1.30pm for cleaning and staff breaks).With the situation around Covid-19 constantly changing, our priority is the health of young people, staff and the wider community.

Our face to face services are delivered alongside our remote offer. Referrals continue to be open for new young people so, if you have nowhere else to go or are about to become homeless, then please don’t wait and get in touch via the online form below, or by presenting at our day centre. We are also accepting referrals from other organisations. 

On this page you will find updates on how we can support you and how we will work with others to help young people in the days, weeks and months to come. Things are constantly changing, so please keep checking this page for updates.

If you are homeless, seeking asylum or a vulnerable person seeking refuge, you are allowed to stay overnight away from home under the official Covid-19 regulations.

Our services

Already using New Horizon?

We will continue to work with anyone who is already getting support from us. If you are already known to us and want an update, then please call 020 7388 5560 or email [email protected]. Someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please note that as the centre is only open 3 days a week, it’s possible that someone might not answer the phone when you call. We are regularly checking the voicemail but if you need something urgent, we’d advise emailing first.

Not currently using or new to our service?

We welcome new referrals, so if you have nowhere else to go or are about to become homeless, then please don’t wait and get in touch via the online form below or by presenting at the day centre.

The day centre is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10:30am and 3.30pm (with short closure between 1-1.30pm for cleaning and staff breaks). During these times we can offer:

• Showers 
• Food, clothes and health essentials 
• Housing advice and advocacy
• Support with accessing benefits
• Education, employment and training support
• Counselling
• Health advice
• Online lifeskills programme
• Support to access external legal or immigration advice
• One-to-one support around independent living and communication skills

You may be offered a blend of in-person and remote services to meet your needs. You can still complete a referral even if you can't come into the centre, we will conduct our services over email, phone or online. Please bear this in mind and if you need urgent support before then, please use the resources listed below. 

You are a priority to us and we will get in touch as soon as we can. We are very busy and our team are doing their best to get to the people who need us most the quickest, so try not to worry if you don’t hear from us immediately. We try to respond to all referrals within 3-5working days

Want to make a referral for someone else?

If you are a professional organisation and wish to refer on behalf of young person you’re working with, please download and complete our agency referral form.

Can't wait that long?

You might feel that you need help or information right now. To keep things simple, we have put together a basic list of other organisations that also offer support.

• Shelter housing advice helpline 0330 0536091 - If you are 18-25 and need advice around housing 
• Streetlink 0300 500 0914 - If you are sleeping rough or you want to refer another person who is
• The Mix 0808 808 4994 - If you want to find out more or talk about challenges you are facing, from mental health to money to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
  
• The Samaritans 116 123 (24hrs) - If you are feeling very low, feeling suicidal or need to talk to somebody urgently. You can also present to A&E at any hospital.
• Mind 0300 123 3393 - If you want information mental health or need and signposting to services
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 (24 hrs)- If you are in an abusive or violent relationship or fleeing any kind of violence or abuse, and need help urgently. In an emergency, always call 999.
• LGBT Switchboard 0300 330 0630 - If you identify as LGBT+ and need information and support.
• 999 if you're in an emergency or at risk of har
• Your Local Authority’s Children’s Services Team - If you are under 18 and have nowhere to stay or feel at risk of harm. Please visit the website for your Local Authority and search for “Child Protection”

F.A.Q

How will I know if anything changes?

Things around Covid-19 and the lockdown keep developing, so there will also be changes around how we and others will be supporting young people. We will be giving updates via Twitter, Facebook and our website.

This page is especially for updates for young people about what support is available through New Horizon Youth Centre and other organisations during this time. We will update this page as soon as we have any changes to announce or new information to share.

Can I keep ‘sofa surfing’ during lockdown?

If you are homeless, seeking asylum or a vulnerable person seeking refuge, you are allowed to stay overnight away from home under the official regulations.

How can I protect myself and others against Covid-19?

The information about Covid-19 can be overwhelming and worrying. To find out more about what is happening and a few simple steps you can take to avoid catching or spreading it:

• What is the coronavirus / COVID-19
• What to do to protect yourself and others
• How to check symptoms
• This really clear explanation by The Mix