MSD announces NHYC as their ‘Neighbour of Choice’ and awards $100,000 grant to tackle youth homelessness.
Every year, thousands of young Londoners are pushed into homelessness and danger through no fault of their own. This happens for many reasons, including family breakdown, domestic abuse, poverty, experiences of violence, or war and persecution in their home country.
The impact of homelessness, the pandemic and cost of living crisis is an experience no young person should face alone and, therefore, there has never been a more crucial time than now to make improving young people’s health and wellbeing a priority. Our work over the past 55 years has shown that homelessness is about more than just housing – it is about offering services that provide young people with adequate support to deal with any difficulties they face. Approximately 40% of the young people using our services for the first time tell us that they need support with mental health and wellbeing.
That’s why New Horizon Youth Centre exists. Through our day centre in London, outreach and remote services we support young people aged 16-24 to overcome the barriers life has put in their way and solve their homelessness for good. Our service offer includes expert help in health, safety, youth work and, of course, housing.
We are thrilled to once again be announced as MSD’s Neighbour of Choice – an annual global community grants programme through which they support the work of local non-profits who are committed to improving the wellbeing of the communities they serve.
The generous $100,000 grant will go towards delivering our ‘Health in the Drop-In’ in King’s Cross. This will not only involve providing services, activities and facilities that will help young people to improve their health and wellbeing, but also empower them to develop healthy coping mechanisms, through our life skills programme.
As MSD’s Neighbour of Choice 2021/22, we were able to achieve the following for young people experiencing homelessness in London between October 2021 and September 2022.
- 499 young people accessed services offered at the day centre in King’s Cross
- 1,247 hot meals prepared and served at the Drop-in
- 346 young people triaged into relevant and appropriate services
- 100 young people attended independent living skills workshops
- 561 young people attended life skills workshops
- 93 young people attended mental health and wellbeing workshops
- 110 young people supported to improve their mental health and wellbeing
- 159 young people accessed education, training, and employment service
For as long as young people find themselves homeless and unsafe in London, we will be on a mission to give their potential a home.
