With chants of “It’s Coming Home” expected to be heard rippling across the country this winter, players, pundits and famous fans from across England have backed Centrepoint’s #NotComingHome campaign.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of homeless young people who are not coming home because they simply don’t have a home to go to. It is a powerful reminder to all, of the thousands of young people facing homelessness this winter.
Among those backing the campaign are footballers John Stones, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Beth Mead, as well as ex-players and pundits Sir Geoff Hurst and Micah Richards, who have all joined forces with leading youth homelessness charity Centrepoint.
Centrepoint predicts that almost 30,000 young people aged 16 – 24 will face homelessness in England this Christmas. This equates to five people for every minute of football set to be played during the international football tournament this Winter.
Other famous faces taking part in the campaign, which is brought to life in this powerful film include comedians Jack Whitehall and Asim Chaudhry, rugby legend and Strictly star Ugo Monye, TV personality Mark Wright, TV &radio presenter Lauren Layfield, Love Island star and sports influencer Josh Denzel, actor Jeremy Irvine, radio personalities Richie Anderson and Roman Kemp and gamer & YouTube sensation Elz the Witch.
According to new research by Centrepoint, almost half (49%) of UK adults aged 18-34 have experienced financial difficulty in the last 12 months and over half (55%) claim rises in the cost-of-living have had a negative impact on their mental health.
Centrepoint research also reveals the sacrifices UK adults aged 18-34 have made in the last 12 months due to their financial worries. Almost two fifths (39%) have said they have reduced how often they use the heating due to high energy costs, while one in five have skipped meals (21%), sold possessions (20%), and 20% have gone into their overdraft or taken on debt.
On top of this, two-fifths (39%) have worried whether they will be able to keep a roof over their head in the past 12 months. Looking ahead, even more (49%) are concerned about how they will afford rent or mortgage repayments in the next 12 months.
Almost half (46%) are also worried they will be forced to move to cheaper accommodation. In addition to rent, rising bills are also a concern as almost half (48%) are worried they won’t be able to afford essential bills like phone and internet in the next year.
In the last 12 months, over one third (37%) have worried they may not be able to buy food. Even more, at almost half (49%), are worried how they will be able to afford food in the next 12 months. The picture is much worse for young people experiencing homelessness – according to Centrepoint’s latest research, many are unable or just about to make ends meet each month, and 85% have not able to buy food in the last year.
Last year it was revealed that youth homelessness figures had reached a five year high because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this year figures are expected to climb even higher. Centrepoint has also reported an increase in calls to its Helpline in the last 12 months, driven by various factors including the soaring cost of living.
Seyi Obakin OBE, Centrepoint Chief Executive says, “This cost-of-living crisis is pushing vulnerable young people closer to breaking point than ever before.
“Everyone should be able to keep a roof over their heads, pay their bills and put food on the table. That is becoming increasingly difficult for the country’s most vulnerable young people, some of whom have just £5 a week to live on after rent and bills. This comes at an enormous personal cost of skipped meals, poor mental health and isolation.
“Around 30,000 young people could face homelessness this winter – but this is a conservative prediction, and it is likely that this number will be significantly higher. The government has taken some steps to support young people during this crisis, but it’s clear that they are still struggling. We need further action if we are to avoid more and more young people facing homelessness.”
Centrepoint exists to give young homeless people like TJ a future. TJ, 19, was supported by the Centrepoint Bursary to complete a professional football scouting qualification. Currently now working as a scout for Queens Park Rangers, a passion of his, TJ recognises this is something that would not have been possible without this support. Centrepoint’s bursary also supported TJ whilst he studied Football Management and Coaching at university. He has dreams of one day running his own football club.
TJ said: “When you don’t know where you’re going to be tomorrow, where you’re going to sleep or where to turn to for help, the fear of uncertainty really kicks in. I faced this uncertainty myself, but with Centrepoint’s support, I was able to get onto courses I wasn’t able to get on before and learn a lot about the job I wanted to be in.
“I am now a scout at Queens Park Rangers and it’s still something that hasn’t sunk in yet. The people mentoring me are the people I grew up watching play football and it’s very surreal to be in this environment, and to think back to where it all started.
“For any young people struggling now, what I’d say is you might feel now you’re at your lowest, or you’re out of luck – but don’t let that be the reason to stop looking for help. When you find help and someone who can pick you back up, you will feel better and won’t even remember the days you were down. Life right now for me is pretty peaceful and stress free. I don’t have to worry as much as I used to when I first came to Centrepoint – I have a job, a house, somewhere to sleep.”
70% feel the government should do more to support young people struggling to pay for food and other essentials whilst the cost-of-living continues to rise. If you believe every young person deserves a safe and warm place to stay this winter, give them a life changing gift by donating here: https.centrepoint.org.uk/notcominghome
