The impact of Coronavirus is all around us and inescapable. It is an extremely challenging and unsettling time for everybody, but it is especially difficult for vulnerable young people. We all turn to our families and friends to support us in times of crisis, but for many of Centrepoints young people, our services are their home, and our staff are their family and support network.

During this unprecedented time, they need our support more than ever and we cannot do it without you.

Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of the young people we work with and to keep our services open. We are doing everything we can to continue to support vulnerable young people with our services:

Our free helpline for young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness remains fully open providing support and guidance

Our housing and support services continue to deliver practical and emotional support to over a thousand young people living in Centrepoint services across the country, ensuring access to food and other essentials are provided to those required to self-isolate.

Our health and well-being service, which includes psychotherapy, substance use, mental health advice, nutrition and dietetics and healthy relationships advice, remains open to prioritise the health needs of the young people we support during these challenging times.

We are proud to have a highly skilled, dedicated and compassionate workforce. Staff across Centrepoint are responding quickly and tirelessly to support each other and vulnerable young people during these challenging times.

Whilst this is the biggest challenge Centrepoint has ever faced, we are confident that we have the people we need to get us through it. However, like many others across the country, we are sadly facing a significant impact on the donations and funds we need to keep our services open.

This is a difficult time for people across the country and indeed across the globe. But if you are able to make a donation, every penny will help us to deliver the much needed support and care which homeless young people need now more than ever.

On behalf of Centrepoints staff and the young people we support, thank you.

Seyi Obakin, OBE

Chief Executive