Centrepoint helps more than 14,000 homeless young people every year. With our support, they've achieved amazing things and overcome some huge obstacles.
Here are some of the real stories of Centrepoint young people and staff.
Following difficulties at home, Becca went to live with her nan. But when her nan discovered she was…
Aged 16, Tash was forced to leave home and then spent six years sofa surfing.
But after staying with…
In his own words, Nathaniel explains how he came to Centrepoint and how our Bursary scheme helped hi…
Aged 22, Jeremiah was thrown out of his home after his father refused to accept that he was gay.
But…
Sarah came to Centrepoint after her mental health spiralled out of control and she was not able to s…
At just 13, Jack's family life became unbearable.
But when he came to Centrepoint, he was offered em…
As Centrepoint’s Regional Manager in Yorkshire, Tyler manages our housing services in Bradford and B…
When Jess’s mum kicked her out when she was just 16, she ended up at Centrepoint. She then moved thr…
Kerry came to Centrepoint in the 1970s after running away from home and ending up homeless on the st…
Peter first came to Centrepoint in the early 1970s after leaving the army with a medical discharge a…
At just 17, Nadia was forced to flee Ethiopia because of persecution for her political beliefs. Afte…
Lisa sought help from Centrepoint’s night shelter when she experienced a period of homelessness afte…
Cara ended up at Centrepoint in the early noughties after leaving her family home due to her dad’s d…
Steve had a comfortable middle class background, but his home life was turbulent. At the age of 18 h…
Terence started as a volunteer at Centrepoint in November 1993. He spent a number of years working i…
Maureen started working for Centrepoint in November 2003 as a Resettlement Officer and is now the Service Manager at one of our services in Camden. To mark our 50th anniversary, she reflects on working for Centrepoint and the changes over the years.
Gary became homeless in the early 90s after being disowned by his family for being gay. After a period of rough sleeping he sought help from Centrepoint, where he built up the courage to come out and have pride in who he is.
Mari was a Centrepoint resident in 1997, after being thrown out of home as a teen when the relationship with her mother broke down. Not only did Centrepoint provide Mari with a roof over her head, they also provided a support network that she relied on for many years after.
Emilyn was a Centrepoint resident in 2007 after her mental health deteriorated. Whilst living with Centrepoint, she received support from her keyworker and the learning team, which eventually lead her to university. Emilyn now works for the UK's leading charity for social integration.
Sofia was brought to UK from Portugal by her Godmother when she was five years old following neglect and violence at home.
When the relationship with her Godmother also broke down, Sofia was referred to Centrepoint. She is currently living in a Centrepoint service for young parents and is studying to be a teacher with the help of Centrepoint’s bursary scheme.
Gareth found himself homeless after university. Thanks to Centrepoint, Gareth is now in his own place and due to start an FA coaching course with support from Centrepoint’s bursary.
Simon started as a Supported Housing Officer at a direct access service run by Centrepoint in 2008. He now uses his Centrepoint skills and experience in his role as Business Development Manager.
Elise went through the care system and came to Centrepoint when she was 18. With Centrepoint’s support, she secured a place at university and completed her degree.
When he was just 17, Kai's father passed away. Little did he know, life was about to get much harder.
Dr Helen Miles is Centrepoint’s new Lead for Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE). Coincidentally, she also volunteered for Centrepoint for 20 years, at one of our ‘off the street’ winter shelters in Central London.
Brookemorgan was housed by Centrepoint for two years. It was here, she says, that she was given the "breathing space" to become independent.
Darren became a Centrepoint resident aged 19 back in 2005 following a communication breakdown with his family. After leaving Centrepoint, he worked for a number of year as a youth worker. He has since written a book called Power of 21 to help young people break into creative industries. He has recently become a Centrepoint trustee.
Lola grew up in care from the age of four. During her teenage years, she became immersed in gang culture. After a number of abusive relationships, Lola ended up escaping her area and was referred to Centrepoint, enrolling on a number of courses and programmes provided by the organisation. She's now very close to completing her traineeship with a major media company.
Tam is a former Centrepoint service user. Her story of homelessness began when her family discovered her sexuality. After coming out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, some family members became uncomfortable, and eventually asked her to leave home.
Tam received support from Centrepoint in Manchester and benefited greatly from Centrepoint's sports programmes.
Adam* was subjected to sexual, physical and emotional abuse growing up. Ten years after his dad went to prison, his mum suddenly threw him out.
Forced to live in his car, Adam was unable to keep up his job and dropped out of university, which left him feeling so desperate he attempted suicide.
Centrepoint found Adam a home, a GP, where he received a diagnosis for depression, and a psychiatrist, enabling him to talk about his trauma for the first time in his life. Adam now lives in shared accommodation, is back at work and planning to return to university to complete his studies.
Jordan, 24, has struggled with homelessness for the past three years, and spent eight months on the streets in 2019. Centrepoint have provided Jordan with a support worker, drug counsellor and mental health worker as well as offering him the opportunity to get involved with arts and drama programmes, which he says have made a huge impact on his life. He is now living in supported housing and has recently secured an audition to study drama at college.
Ramona suffered with her mental health as a child and was sectioned when she was just 11. Her condition wasn’t diagnosed until much later, but since receiving a formal diagnosis and escaping an abusive relationship, she has been able to take control of her life and is excelling at her studies. She is now having regular therapy and appropriate medication for her condition and looking forwards to studying Biological Science at university.
Marianne is Centrepoint's Healthy Relationships Advisor in London. Here, she describes her role and how it is vital to tackling youth homelessness.
Jen* became homeless at 16 following a relationship breakdown with her mum. For two weeks in the dead of winter, Jen sofa-surfed or wandered the streets desperately trying to find somewhere to keep warm.
Eventually, Jen was referred to Centrepoint’s therapeutic service for 16-18 year olds in a farmhouse outside Bradford. While initially reluctant to accept help, one year later she’s thriving and looking forward to going back to college.
Following a traumatic experience at home, Clare felt she had to leave. She approached the Centrepoint advice centre in Manchester and they were able to find her accommodation.
She is now living in one of Centrepoint’s’ Move Through’ properties and finally feeling settled. She has just started a job as a support worker for the council.
Dineer* is 20 years old and became a Centrepoint resident in January. During lockdown, she became a keyworker herself, working as a chef at a major hospital in South West London. Here she talks about her experiences during the pandemic and her hopes to start her own business in the future.
Following a family break up and subsequent mental ill-health, Morgan, 22, dropped out of university and ended up homeless. After a period of sofa-surfing and rough sleeping, Morgan was referred to Night Stop and later Centrepoint where he started on his road to recovery. He now volunteers as a youth advocate within Centrepoint.
Jasmin is a Rohingya refugee and spent much of her childhood in a refugee camp in Bangladesh before being granted asylum in the UK.
She has overcome so many barriers in her life, but sport was always something that made her feel good. Last year through Centrepoint, she took part in the Street Child Cricket World Cup, and since then has been named one of the BBC's 100 Women of 2019.
Keith started working for Centrepoint in 2017 following a 20-year career supporting families for other organisations. Currently he supports young parents in Greenwich. Here he tells us why he loves working with young people and children.
When Ebby became pregnant at 17, she was unable to continue living with her mum. She sofa-surfed with extended family members until eventually she was referred to a hostel for young parents. She describes her relationship with her keyworker as instrumental in her turning things around.
Ebby has recently moved into her own flat with her son and has enrolled on a social work course at college.
Michelle has worked for Centrepoint for almost three years and currently works as a supported housing officer in our young parent’s service in Sunderland.
Before Centrepoint, Michelle worked with adults with disabilities and learning difficulties. She says it was the care an ex-partner was given that inspired her to go into support work.
Here Michelle tells us about why she enjoys working with young people.
At just 17, Shannon was referred to Centrepoint when her foster placement broke down. Whilst with Centrepoint, Shannon was supported to finish college, complete an apprenticeship and apply to university. She has recently moved into her own flat and is about to start her degree in fashion design.
Carol Cordingley is the deputy service manager at one of Centrepoint’s therapeutic services near Bradford and has been with the organisation for four and a half years. Here, she works with Patrick Hollinger, a supported housing officer who has been at the service since its fruition over five years ago.
In this interview, they share their combined 32-year experience of working with young people.
Alex has worked as a supported housing officer in Sunderland since April 2018. Prior to that, she was a prevention worker as part of a pilot project and also had responsibility for the youth educators programme. This was aimed at raising awareness and tackling misconceptions surrounding homelessness. Before she worked at Centrepoint, she worked in further education for 20 years.
Here she shares her wealth of experience in working closely with vulnerable, young adults.
Aged five, Zinnia’s mum kicked her and her dad out. Aged nine, Zinnia was placed into foster care.
A…
Claudette's drive and spirit are truly inspiring. That's why she was the deserving winner of the Ent…
Alice worked at Centrepoint between 2004 and 2011. She managed the 40th Anniversary and was responsible for starting Centrepoint's bursary scheme. She now works for Evolve Housing and Support.
When Tien arrived in London, she was scared, sick, tired and all alone.
But thanks to her support wo…
"I left home when I was 20 because I was being forced into an arranged marriage."
"Today, I'm workin…
Chris is the service manager of two of our services in Barnsley and has been working with vulnerable people for over 18 years.
When his football career came to an end and after the death of his parents, Craig hit rock bottom.
B…
Josh had a difficult childhood and was put in to care in his early teens.
His passion for sport and…
Elly-Michele has been a Centrepoint resident for two years since leaving care. She recently took part in the first of the Centrepoint arts engagement projects - STUDIO, and had her work exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery. This has given her a creative platform and the confidence to continue developing her artistic talents.
Matt manages one of Centrepoint's London hostels. He was homeless himself when he came to London age…
After suffering physical abuse from his mum, Georges became homeless.
But since coming to Centrepoin…
Jade had a turbulent time growing up. By the age of 17, she had not only experienced a suicide in her family, but also losing her mum. Barely coping with life, she spent time in and out of hospital due to alcohol and substance use, which was further impacting her already fragile mental health.
However, with courage and determination and the support of Stepping Stone Projects in Lancashire (one of Centrepoint’s partner organisations), Jade managed to make it to university, achieving a first class degree. Since graduating, Jade has supported other vulnerable young people as a homelessness officer and a substance use worker. Jade lives with her son and partner and is expecting her second child.
Jamie sought help from Centrepoint on four different occasions over a period of six years, which gave her some stability amongst the chaos. Jamie has now moved on from Centrepoint and has recently completed her Masters in Dance.
On Christmas Day, Ben went to hospital with chronic pain and was diagnosed with sciatica. To make ma…
Stephen understands what it’s like to be young and homeless: he lived in a hostel for three years from the age of 17. He now works as a supported housing officer in one of our Barnsley services. He’s been working at Centrepoint since October 2018.
With support and a lot of dedication, Tamara turned her life around.
Growing in confidence, Tamara w…
After struggling with homelessness and experiencing mental health problems, Catherine took control o…
Daniel's parents both abused him verbally and physically -they made it clear that he wasn't wanted. …
Hannah’s problems began when her family home burnt down.
After living through family arguments in te…
At just 15 years old, Tori was hospitalised by her Mum.
She was forced to leave home in difficult ci…
Chloe left home in Bradford at 15 to search for her biological father in London. Things didn’t work …
John had a troubled and unstable childhood. His father suffered with mental illness and his mother w…