We’ve been featured in Comic Relief’s ‘What Your Money Does’ feature on hidden homelessness around the UK. Comic Relief has been a huge sponsor for Streetlife over the years and is a large part of why we are able to offer such extensive services and support to young people.
Within the feature, Steph, from Streetlife, has shared her thoughts on how bad homelessness really is in the area. Many people assume that being homeless means you’ll be sleeping on the streets alone, but it can come in many forms. Some homeless people may sleep on a different sofa every night or be staying in temporary accommodation.
It’s important to understand that homelessness exists even when you can’t see it right in front of you. At Streetlife, we try our hardest to accommodate all of the young people who visit the shelter. However, we only have the capacity for so many people to stay the night. We are the only emergency homeless shelter for young people within a 56-mile radius, which highlights how vital our services are.
What’s the process at Streetlife?
At Streetlife, we offer a comfortable place for young people aged 16 – 25 to stay the night, have a hot meal, learn new skills, wash their clothes, or simply have a chat. These services are provided in both the night shelter and the base.
When young people arrive, we ensure they are safe and comfortable before completing an assessment. The assessment allows us to identify any areas of their lives that they may be struggling with. We have helped so many young people to get back on their feet and live happier lives, and we are so proud of this.
Mental health
Within this Comic Relief feature, Steph also discusses the challenges associated with mental health. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, mental health has been declining for many young people.
When dealing with homelessness and a decline in mental well-being, it can be tricky to know where to turn. At Streetlife, we can offer you a listening ear and a smile. Here’s Steph’s advice to those struggling: “My advice is not to give up. Keep going and know that there is help and support out there. And that just by having a little bit of support, you can go a long way. Don’t give up.”
We are so proud of Steph for sharing her thoughts on this very important topic. Steph attended the Red Nose Day show, along with other members of the team and some of our fantastic young people.
We want to say a huge thank you to Comic Relief for supporting Streetlife and enabling us to offer such crucial services in Blackpool.