A youth homelessness project supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has been praised for turning around lives.
Lawrence House in Hinckley, run by Hinckley Homeless Group, has helped countless young people to overcome challenges such as poor mental health and addiction to gain employment, live independently and establish a supportive social network.
Picture credit: Hinckley Homeless Group
The charity secured funding from the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC’s Safety Fund last year towards intervention and support work as well as the continuation of one-to-one support via a designated project worker.
Its main site, Lawrence House, provides supported accommodation for homeless people aged 16 to 25, with the potential for expanding services to ages 16 to 28.
The facility has 12 bedrooms supporting both young men and women and can accommodate people for up to two years with one-to-one essential support delivered to help residents gain more independence, develop community connections and improve their mental health.
When ready, residents can progress to ‘move-on’ housing, entering employment and achieving financial freedom.
The project is overwhelmingly successful with many young people quitting drugs and alcohol and beating their addictions, while also learning vital life skills such as cooking and financial management to improve their resilience.
In one example, a girl self-referred to the service three years ago with poor mental health, drug use and emotional dysregulation. Following career support, she gained employment, overcame challenges and grew in confidence.
She has now successfully transitioned to ‘move on’ housing and is developing her career as a registered housekeeper, gaining promotions and a space on a management training programme. She is also on the housing register.
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews, who recently visited Lawrence House to see the good work in action, said: “This project supports my ‘prevention’ mission, giving young people the tools and practical support they need to realise their potential and thrive.
“We know that disadvantage, vulnerability, lack of support and trauma lie at the heart of both crime and homelessness. Lawrence House empowers young people to overcome the issues that are holding them back, propelling them into the future with skills, resilience and greater emotional strength and confidence.
“I’m pleased to see the many success stories to emerge from Lawrence House. Growing homelessness rates and the lack of availability of affordable social housing are a real concern – this project demonstrates how critical it is we support those trapped in the system and equip them with the skills and opportunity to change their lives long-term.”
The charity has seen a growing rise in the number of young women seeking help who face increased risks of violence and child sexual exploitation.
In response, the charity provides tailored support plans to help them recover from previous trauma and abuse alongside drug and alcohol rehabilitation intervention where needed with project workers fulfilling a parental-style role.
In another success story, the charity came to the aid of a university student who had suffered a breakdown and left his art studies, subsequently falling into debt. He ended up homeless and moved to Lawrence House to rebuild his life.
He has now returned to London to pursue his art career and complete his education and is being commissioned for his art.
