We need to raise £10,000 to provide specialist Counselling to our cohort of residents ready to ‘move-on’.

This funding would benefit 60 residents over the year.

Our Counsellors will work with individuals helping them navigate a way to independent living, especially those who have been with YMCAB longer than 2 years or seem “stuck” and lack the confidence and mental wellbeing to make the move towards full independence.

These individuals make up 51% of our current residents.

100% of the people we support are single and between the ages of 18 – 65 and have been street homeless or vulnerably housed.

We are looking to help those hardest to reach whose barriers to moving-on are more than financial. Additional barriers might include substance abuse, chronic homelessness, poor life-skills, mental health issues, past trauma and impacts of the current cost-of-living crisis.

Weekly sessions with the 'move-on counsellor' will take a person-centered approach until the client moves-on and up to six months support, if required, thereafter.

As well as providing the pathway to affordable accommodation, this project will: -

• Free up hostel space to help more homeless and vulnerable people.

• Provide next stage housing with tapering holistic support.

• Create a pathway to ensure support to long-term recovery from the cycle of homelessness.

• Provide access to a stable, independent place to call home.

• Minimise barriers to accessing mental health and social support.

• Provide mental health support even after move-in to help secure an end to the cycle of homelessness.

We are confident our support will equip our hostel leavers with everything they need to move on successfully.

“I became homeless after a mental health breakdown. Whilst at the YMCA I was able to grow in strength; I feel staff see the potential in everyone and pull this out of you. Last January I moved out into my own flat. Without the YMCA, I don’t feel I’d be the person I am today.” (former Housing resident)

Marcus is hugely grateful to YMCA Bournemouth: “I don’t really think I’d still be here if it wasn’t for YMCA Bournemouth,” he says. “To be honest, without this place there are a lot of people in here that wouldn’t be alive.” (Current resident)

This fund will transform lives with a ripple effect. Improved wellbeing through a return to independent living contributes to strengthening individuals and communities socially and economically:

• decreasing risk behaviour

• decreasing crime rates

• reducing hospital visits

• improving mental health conditions

• supporting individuals into training and employment

• reducing welfare benefits drawn

Independent living undoubtedly strengthens the local community by acting as the catalyst for change for individuals, which leads to productive, fruitful lives contributing to society for the benefit of all.