What does success look like?

For us an independent person would be a young person successfully managing their housing and money, engaged in meaningful activities and connected with positive communities of their choice. They would be aware of any health issues they have, both mind and body, and be actively looking after themselves.

Often it's only one of those things that is lacking, for example it may be that a young person has regular check ups, doesn't smoke pot or drink too much, is part of a local community, works in a retail outlet but can't read very well. They are embarrassed and don't tell anyone that they don't read their bills when they come through the door. Things get bad, they bury their head in the sand (we've all been there!), stop opening the door when people knock. Suddenly they are at risk of being evicted because they haven't paid their rent and the utilities companies are after them too.

It only takes one person to notice they are struggling and contact us or the council.

What is the service we provide?

Our service ranges from simple signposting or advice to intensive one-to one support for up to two years. We either house and support someone, or support them in their own property. Please read the What we do section for details of all our services.

The one thing that makes all this possible is that the young people trust us. We have been exclusively working with 16-25 year olds for 30 years. We know our stuff. Young people in this age group have very specific needs. It's a time of transitions - child to adult, dependent to living alone, for some becoming parents, others leaving juvenile detention and moving to adult prison.

We understand those transitions better than most.