Homelessness project hits home
Published Wednesday 28th April 10 in Council - news and information releases news
School students gained a vivid picture of homelessness issues, following a special six-week course led by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council officers.
Members of the Council's Housing Options team ran the sessions for students from Year 8 aged 12 and 13 years old at Futures Community College in Southchurch Boulevard , Southend. They aimed to raise awareness of homelessness and how it can affect anybody, including young people. The sessions also explored what life for a homeless young person is like. Students were given information about the available choices and services if they or someone they know becomes homeless.
"Each session included an introduction and brief talk about homelessness from members of the Housing Options team.
"The highlight of the series was a talk by a young volunteer from the YMCA who had been homeless himself. He talked about his experiences and answered questions from the class.
"This was followed by a group activity asking the pupils to imagine they were a homeless young person and to think about factors such as why they became homeless, where they would sleep and where they could go for help.
"To finish off the sessions, a member of the housing options team led a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of living at home.
"By raising awareness of homelessness amongst this age group and by understanding how difficult life as a homeless young person is, it is hoped that future homelessness will be prevented."
Phil Buckingham, Senior Leader from Futures Community College says: "This has been a very successful series. The pupils have enjoyed the sessions and have used the opportunity to ask lots of questions about what life for a homeless young person is like.
"This project was carried out over six weeks and on the final week, pupils bought in cans of food which will be donated to the YMCA."
For more information about this media release please call the press desk on 01702-215000 ext 5505 or e-mail media@southend.gov.uk
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Corporate Director for Adult and Community Services, Simon Leftley says: "We were very pleased to be able to deliver this short course at Futures Community College , and were very grateful for the opportunity to do so. The students were very receptive.