National charity Centrepoint says 80,000 Young People experience homelessness every year; Trinity Winchester focused its AGM on this issue.

Trinity Winchester, the local direct access charity which helps homeless and vulnerable people, hosted their AGM on 16th October with a focus on Youth Homelessness. After the formal matters and updates on the work of Trinity over the last year, a speaker from local charity Spurgeons joined the proceedings, as well as one of Trinity’s youngest service users who shared her story.

The event was well attended by 52 people, including the Mayor of Winchester Cllr Eileen Berry. Acting Vice-Chair Gerry O’Keefe chaired the evening and highlighted that 26% of young people aged 20 to 34 currently live with their parents. He added: “This living situation can cause friction and pressure that lead to relationship breakdown, and in the worst case scenario, homelessness.” Last year, Trinity saw a 65% increase in visits by young people between the ages of 16 -24 on the previous year.

Lisa was 16 years old when tensions with her mother led her to leave the family home. At the AGM she shared about her time sleeping on the streets, in Winchester Nightshelter, and in temporary accommodation. “I was drinking and taking drugs, which made me make bad decisions, and I was kicked out of my accommodation because I broke the rules. I see now that this was wrong. I’m clean now, and hoping to go to college and get a job either in customer service or in IT.” Lisa has attended Trinity’s learning programme over the last year, engaging in Budgeting courses, cookery and IT. Since the AGM, Lisa has now moved into her own property where she is continued to be supported by Trinity and other support services.

Sue McKenna, General Manager at Trinity Winchester, said: “Lisa’s journey has been a rocky road, and we are pleased to see her getting settled into her own home now. There are many young people in a similar situation and Trinity’s Project Workers are here to help support people – whether that is just a shower in the morning, or arranging counselling sessions, support with benefits applications, housing referrals, learning opportunities, being a contact address, and so much more.”

Trinity Winchester’s services were used by 778 people last year. To find out more about Trinity’s vital work, please visit www.trinitywinchester.org.uk or call Trinity on 01962 842827.

 

Trinity Winchester is a charity supporting homeless and other vulnerable people in the city of Winchester. Trinity addresses the effects of homelessness and vulnerability through specialist practical and emotional support, and proactive prevention, empowering positive change.