Ben was just a child when he became homeless and recollecting that time, he explained, “My mum was very strict, and my dad was the opposite. I used to stay with him every two weeks. Those very different schools of upbringing were confusing for me.”
Amid bullying and rising tension at home, changes in Ben’s behaviour began to impact his education. Even after moving in with his father, his situation showed little improvement. Lacking clear structure and direction, his daily life became progressively more chaotic, leaving him feeling unsettled and disconnected.
Social services eventually intervened, and he was placed in supported accommodation. He distinctly recalls the experience saying, “I remember that time being really difficult. All my possessions were in a black bag. I had to fend for myself.”
Over the next four years, Ben moved between more than 15 sites, including hostels, temporary accommodation and periods sleeping on the streets.
The constant disruption meant he unable to fully settle or build a sense of routine. Without this, and carrying unresolved trauma, he struggled to manage his emotions and form any real lasting relationships.
By the time he was referred to Centrepoint aged just 19, Ben said years of upheaval had taken their toll. “I was like a volcano. I had so much rage in me. I put them through so much, but they never gave up on me.”
With consistent encouragement and care, things gradually began to improve. Centrepoint staff worked closely with Ben to rebuild his self-confidence and help him to recognise his strengths. As Lana, a support worker at the charity, explained, “We gave him the space and support he needed to rise above his challenges.”
That steady support was life changing. Ben credits it with helping him see his own potential and begin to believe in a different future. “Lana always reminded me of my worth, saying, ‘Ben, you’re good. Ben, you’ve got potential. Ben, you can do it,’” he recalled.
Now 47, Ben has built a stable and fulfilling life. He is a father and works as a lecturer in Electrical Engineering at a college, where he now supports young people working through their difficulties and he encourages them to stay focused. Reflecting on the transformation he has achieved, he said, “For me, that’s living the dream.”
Ben hopes that by sharing his own story, he can inspire others to believe that, with the right support, there is a real opportunity to end youth homelessness and create a brighter, more secure future for every young person.
Sir Michael Palin steps in to support Centrepoint fundraiser
Sir Michael Palin has reaffirmed his long-standing support for youth homelessness charity Centrepoint by highlighting the importance of helping vulnerable young people rebuild their lives.
The Monty Python star has supported Centrepoint for many years, helping to raise awareness and vital funds for young people experiencing homelessness across the UK.
“I have admired and supported the work of Centrepoint over many years. Homelessness at any age is a major problem but for young people it can ruin lives that have barely begun. Centrepoint offers and delivers help where it matters, and for as long as it is needed. Through them we can help too,” he explained.
His commitment was evident recently when he stepped in at short notice to support a charity auction that was at risk of being cancelled. Organisers had been left without a planned centrepiece item in the days leading up to the event and were unable to find a suitable replacement in time.
Sir Michael donated two signed eggs, allowing the fundraiser to go ahead as planned. The items, along with a double egg cup and a framed picture, were sold to a private collector for £100, with proceeds donated to Centrepoint.
Sir Michael said, “Centrepoint are a cracking charity, and I was more than happy to support their eggcellent work. Though it did make my omelette disappointing.”
A spokesperson for Centrepoint said his support helped ensure vital funds were raised for services supporting young people, with organisers describing the situation as an “eggistential crisis” narrowly avoided.
Legal Clinic supports homeless young people
Centrepoint, the youth homelessness charity, is offering specialist legal support to help young people access advice during periods of instability.
Delivered through external partnerships and remote appointments, the service provides guidance on housing rights, employment, consumer law, civil liberties, immigration and family law, helping participants understand their rights and make informed decisions.
Each young person receives a tailored action plan and may be referred to additional support, including emergency food provision and money management advice, as part of a joined-up approach to meeting wider needs.
Centrepoint says the scheme helps young people feel more confident engaging with legal processes and ensures they feel heard. One young person said the service helped them “feel less alone” while dealing with housing uncertainty and concerns about their future.
The charity adds that the clinics demonstrate the value of early legal advice in preventing problems escalating and improving outcomes for vulnerable young people.
‘We Can’t Do This Alone’
Last year, over 118,000 young people faced homelessness. That’s one young person every four minutes. At a time of life when most of their peers are trying new things and taking their first steps into adulthood, these young people found themselves alone and afraid, and unsure where to turn.
It doesn’t have to be like this, with the right support at the right time, these young people can escape homelessness or avoid it altogether.
At Centrepoint, provide more than a bed for the night. We provide a safe place to rebuild, support into education and work, and the confidence to believe in a better future.
Youth homelessness is not inevitable. With the right help at the right time, it can be prevented and it can be ended.
Our mission is to end youth homelessness – and you can help us.
Whether it’s running a marathon or holding a sleep out, you, your friends, family and co-workers can join our movement to end youth homelessness and give vulnerable young people a brighter future.
To find out more, donate or get involved, please visit our website http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/newspaper
Homelessness prevention project wins national award
A project helping to prevent young people becoming homeless has won a national award after expanding its work across all four nations of the UK.
Upstream UK, a partnership chaired by Welsh homelessness charity Llamau, received the Homeless Link Excellence Award for Best Partnership.
The initiative, which involves Centrepoint, The Rock Trust and MACS NI, works with secondary schools to identify and help young people at risk of homelessness before problems reach crisis point.
Since launching just over six years ago in a single school in Wales, the programme has expanded to 38 schools across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Using a screening tool to identify risks among pupils, it provides relationship support between children and their families.
Sam Austin, Chief Executive of Llamau, explained, “This award is recognition of what is possible when organisations work together around a shared commitment to end youth homelessness.”
The partnership said 98 per cent of young people supported through Upstream UK have remained safely at home.
Centrepoint Chief Executive Seyi Obakin OBE said, “We are proud to be part of a partnership that is showing what national collaboration can achieve.” He added, “By working together across systems and places, we can identify hidden need earlier and help change young people’s trajectories before homelessness takes hold.”
Alistair MacDermid, Head of Services at The Rock Trust, said, “This award means a great deal to everyone who has worked on Upstream across all four nations.”
The programme is gaining interest as a model for early intervention in schools.
