 There are more than 100,000 homeless children in Britain. A large proportion of these young people are living in temporary accommodation supplied by local authorities. Some are “sofa-surfing” in the homes of friends or strangers, and others are sleeping rough.
What is homelessness? For many of us – the lucky ones – homelessness is an unknown misery. Most of us have never experienced homelessness, and some of us have only a hazy idea of what it is. The complete picture is murky and indistinct, hidden beneath sharp images of people sitting sadly in doorways on busy streets. Statutory homelessness Households and individuals who are in priority need, within the terms of homelessness legislation, are owed relief duty by local authorities. “Priority need” covers households that include dependent children (or expected children) and adults who are assessed as vulnerable. Eligibility is on the condition that homelessness is not deliberate. Eligible homeless households will often be housed in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B or a hostel, which might be quite far away from the family’s former home. This kind of limbo living frequently comes with lack of space, privacy, and safe places for children to play. Difficulty in getting to and from school has a detrimental effect on education and peer friendships, which can be impacted by anxiety and poor sleep. Hidden homelessness Many homeless people who fall outside the definition of “priority need” will stay temporarily with friends and family, or they’ll sleep in vehicles or “beds in sheds”. This kind of non-statutory homelessness is referred to as “sofa-surfing” or “concealed homelessness”. Some people living in these conditions will be eligible for authority help, but they might not realise it; or they might choose not to apply for it. Sleeping rough Sleeping rough is the most obvious and frightening form of homelessness. It’s the type of homelessness we can see. Even if we turn our gaze away in embarrassed sympathy, too polite to stare at people trapped in a world of loneliness and despair, the image stays with us, sharpened by the dread that “it could be me”. How do young people become homeless? A 2011 report, based on interviews with adults who had at some time in their lives experienced homelessness, set out to identify pathways to homelessness. Some participants reported positive memories of childhood, including a stable home environment and enough money. But a significant proportion of participants remembered a childhood characterised by trauma and hardship. Common themes were:
Whatever the reason for a lack of education (truancy, expulsion, caring duties, domestic violence, illness, imprisonment), a young person can find themselves severely disadvantaged in our qualification-centric culture. Each year, in England, around 100,000 young people age out of the care system, and many are left to set up their homes and lives without the support networks they need. It’s a sad fact that around 25% of homeless young people are care leavers. Homeless youngsters often become victims of violence and exploitation, and reports show that one in six take part in criminal activities for somewhere to stay. Mental illness and substance abuse are results, as well as causes, of homelessness, and as another survey shows, young people who have slept rough are more likely to experience mental health issues and alcohol and drug needs than young people who have not. Some kids just don’t get a chance. The Benjamin Foundation Gentle Retreat donates a percentage of its profits to the Benjamin Foundation. Established in the 1990s, the Benjamin Foundation offers a wide range of support to young people in Norfolk and Suffolk who are experiencing (or who have, in the past, experienced) homelessness. Each night, through the Foundation’s 17 accommodation centres and trusted network of host homes, up to 180 young people are provided with a safe place to sleep. The Foundation also supports young people into employment or training – and, through a rent deposit scheme, offers help in securing long-term accommodation. The Benjamin Foundation is the regional partner for the End Youth Homelessness campaign. Join us at Gentle Retreat Gentle Retreat offers a long weekend of meditation, yoga, and relaxation in the peaceful Norfolk countryside. A proportion of the retreat’s profits is donated to The Benjamin Foundation for the support of homeless young people. For more information, contact us at [email protected]. To book your place on a retreat, go to BookRetreats, where you’ll find details of prices and availability. |
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