Simon Community NI Launch Youth Homelessness Prevention Programme

Friday 25 April 2008

SIMON COMMUNITY NI LAUNCH YOUTH HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAMME

Simon Community NI recently launched Safe Moves, an innovative programme that works with young people from 13 to 25 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  The programme, which has been developed with a £150,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund and support from the NI Housing Executive, has three elements – Life Skills, Peer Mentoring and Family Support. 

Simon Community accommodated 422 16-25 year olds last year.  The overall aim of the programme is to ensure that each young person resides in the best place that suits his or her needs and ideally avoid having to reside in temporary or emergency accommodation.  The programme is designed to be beneficiary focused so that the young person decides which elements best suit them and what speed and shape their journey will take. 

David Carroll, Development Director Simon Community commented:

“Preventing Homelessness is at the heart of this new programme.  No one wants to end up living in hostels.  Simon Community believe that a new emphasis is required to work with young people before they end up in emergency accommodation.  Safe Moves innovative approach will play an important part in working with those at risk of homelessness to avoid crisis and plan their futures with confidence”.

Paul Cavanagh, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund's Young People's Fund said:

“The Big Lottery Fund worked closely with young people to deliver the Change UR Future Programme.  A number of young people sat on out decision-making committee and successful projects like Safe Moves are clearly demonstrating that young people are at the heart of designing, developing and implementing the programmes.

This important project is helping young people be healthy and contribute to their community by funding activities that will make a real difference to their lives.”

Michael Graham, Principal Officer Housing & Regeneration, NI Housing Executive added:

“As part of the Homeless Strategy the Housing Executive is committed to preventing homelessness through a range of measures, one of which is the provision of effective   advice and assistance. We welcome the Safe Moves initiative by the Simon Community as an enhancement to their education programme aimed at the prevention of homelessness among young people”.

Susan Norton, Safe Moves Mentor said:

“I became involved with the programme because I was once homeless myself and I wanted to help prevent it happening to someone else.  If I'd had a mentor to support me through the tough times, I might not have ended up homeless in the first place”.

For further information contact Simon Community's Education Department: 02890 319986

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