Homelessness service celebrates second birthday
Released: 20 November 2007
A group set up to help prevent young people in Wolverhampton from becoming homeless is celebrating its second birthday this month.
Over the last two years Wolverhampton Young Persons Accommodation Forum has come to the aid of more than 500 young people aged 16 to 25 - and in many cases has helped stop them becoming homeless.
Mike Yates, who chairs the forum, said: "It is no exaggeration to say that the work of the forum has prevented young people from suffering homelessness and the terrible consequences of this.
“We are very proud of the work we have done - the work of this tremendous partnership goes forward with confidence.”
The group comprises representatives of Wolverhampton City Council, Heantun Housing Association, Midland Heart, Wolverhampton Leaving Care Service, the Youth Offending Team, The Haven, P3, The YMCA and Base 25. All have helped provide accommodation, support, advice and guidance to 519 young people since its inception in 2005.
Membership of the forum has increased rapidly over the last couple of years, and it has become the recognised route through which young people can find housing-related services.
The services it provides are growing. Last month the forum teamed up with Relate, the national counselling service, to offer an extended service of mediation to young people in crisis.
Young people in need of support and advice can receive help from Relate via referrals from the Wolverhampton Young Persons Accommodation Forum which meets every fortnight at various venues across the city and can also be contacted via any of the hostels or foyers across the city.
For more information about the service, call the Young Persons Team on 01902 551023.
Issued by the press office.