At a Celebrating Partnerships event on Wednesday 16th November, 150 organisations attended – Shelagh O’Connor, Director of New Horizon Youth Centre said “The numbers of young people we are seeing has increased by 20% in the past six months and yet there are fewer and fewer emergency spaces for these vulnerable young people. The situation is exacerbated by Government cuts, Local Authority cuts, and the reduction in the availability of private rented sector accommodation and the proposed welfare reforms. The lack of appropriate options for young people will mean that they end up on the streets of London rough sleeping with all the ensuing problems that this will bring for their own futures and for society in general”.
The event launched a new partnership with the Depaul UK ‘Night Stop Plus’ which will secure volunteers to provide emergency bed spaces in people’s homes for someone at risk for up to six weeks New Horizon Youth
Centre will provide a package of support in this window of opportunity to find move on an accommodation and to help that young person into independent living through the range of offers at the Centre.
Speaking about the event, Shelagh said “more is required, we need new thinking, we need Local Authorities, Central Government and the voluntary sector working together to reduce the pressures on accommodation in London and to ensure that a prevention agenda is foremost.”
On Thursday 27th October, the London branch of the Football Association (FA) held their Grassroots Football award ceremony at Stamford Bridge – home of Chelsea FC. Alex Eagle – our Sports & Mens Worker picked up the award for ‘Inclusion Partner of the year’ in acknowledgement of his efforts in encouraging those from a highly disadvantaged background to get involved with Football in London. Well Done Alex.
Tim Loughton MP the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families in the Department for Education and Ian Brady Deputy Director of the Youth Task Force visited on Thursday 17th June to meet young people and to gain an understanding of the issues facing young people who are vulnerable.
Tim congratulated the centre on their work with homeless young people and the innovative projects focusing on preventing gun and knife crime.
Tim Loughton MP the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families in the Department for Education and Ian Brady Deputy Director of the Youth Task Force visited on Thursday 17th June to meet young people and to gain an understanding of the issues facing young people who are in a vulnerable situation.
Tim congratulated the centre on their work with homeless young people and the innovative projects focusing on preventing gun and knife crime.
Jon Snow launched the Day Centre Standards today in the ‘Barn’ at New Horizon Youth Centre. Over 50 guests including civil servants from Department of Communities and Local Government, Local Authorities, day centre executives and the CEO of the London Housing Foundation joined the launch day.
Jon Snow said.. “The new service standards will ensure that people get excellent services when they go to participating centres. These standards should also help the wider public understand the vital role day centres play in giving a hand up to those in need – not a hand out.”
We are delighted that our wonderful new building was selected yesterday for a 2010 RIBA Award.
The building was deemed to have high architectural standards and makes a substantial contribution to the local environment. More info on the awards is available at the Architecture Website.
New Horizon Youth Centre’s Women’s Open Space programme has won the Home Office - Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Award.
The award recognises people who have made an outstanding contribution to tackling drugs. They reward people who have changed lives and communities through their work. Out of 300 nominations – The Women’s Open Space Project were among the 28 finalists…and guess what?…WE WON!!
The Women’s Open Space Project operates an outreach service in the Kings Cross area for rough sleepers under the age of 25, female sex workers and other vulnerable women. They witness the immediate and long term impact of their work with these vulnerable women.
Their twice weekly drop-in service offers a relaxing and welcoming space where we run, for example, a peer education programme aimed at educating and informing the women on drugs and dangers of sex work.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Women’s Open Space Team and the work they do. And I’m now bowled over by the Home Office Award – it is so richly deserved. I would like to thank the team for touching and making a difference to so many women’s lives. New Horizon is fortunate indeed to have them”….said Jon Snow, Chairman of New Horizon Youth Centre.
Young people from the centre have been involved from the outset in the development and design of our new building. This has culminated in young people securing apprenticeships and work placements on the new build site.
Fitsum (one of our young people) has been working on the electrical installation at the site. Thank you to JONAP (the contractors) for giving him this opportunity and well done to Fitsum for his hard work and commitment.
Our friends at The British Museum have been working with young people from NHYC, helping them prepare for the Day of the Dead celebration at the museum. Our young people ’caused a sensation’ with their very own tribute to Michael Jackson!!! The British Museum can’t wait to have them back!
At a Celebrating Partnerships event on Wednesday 16th November, 150 organisations attended – Shelagh O’Connor, Director of New Horizon Youth Centre said “The numbers of young people we are seeing has increased by 20% in the past six months and yet there are fewer and fewer emergency spaces for these vulnerable young people. The situation is exacerbated by Government cuts, Local Authority cuts, and the reduction in the availability of private rented sector accommodation and the proposed welfare reforms. The lack of appropriate options for young people will mean that they end up on the streets of London rough sleeping with all the ensuing problems that this will bring for their own futures and for society in general”.
