End Youth Homelessness launches the new Health Fund, supported by The Body Shop, to address the growing demand for mental health support amongst homeless young people

Over past year and a half, the arrival of the pandemic has thrown up a number of huge societal issues including an increase in young people who find themselves homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.

At the beginning of 2020, over 121,000 young people were homeless, which is a 10% increase on the previous year. According to the charity Centrepoint, calls to their helpline drastically increased when lockdown began, with cases of young people having nowhere to stay and sleeping rough doubling.

The mental health impact of homelessness is deeply troubling too. 80% of people experiencing homelessness report struggles with their mental health, 26% cite their mental health as the reason for becoming homeless and 18% have attempted to take their own life.

End Youth Homelessness - taking action

Founded in 2010, the national movement End Youth Homelessness (EYH) brings together local member charities from across the UK, in order to tackle homelessness and provide young people with opportunities to turn their lives around, with the appropriate support for their circumstances.

This week EYH has announced the launch of the Health Fund, which will provide vulnerable young people with access to tailored support to help rebuild their confidence and self-worth, and enable them to have successful and independent futures

“The new campaign to launch End Youth Homelessness’ Health Fund could not come at a better time. Young people’s future should not be determined by their past, each and every individual has the right to have a safe place to call home and the opportunity to reach their potential,” Nick Connolly, Managing Director of End Youth Homelessness explains.

Supporting partners

Friend of Happiful and fellow B Corp The Body Shop have stepped forward to support the Health Fund by pledging to raise and donate £220,000 to the initiative.

“The Body Shop wants to provide homeless young people with the support they need to re-build their sense of self-worth and end the stigma around the issue,” Linda Campbell, Managing Director of The Body Shop UK shared.

“This incredible initiative will offer young people the vital support they need to overcome past traumas and go on to lead full and successful lives.”

You can do your bit, with body butter

The Body Shop customers can directly contribute to the End Youth Homelessness Health Fund initiative by purchasing any 200ml Body Butter from The Body Shop’s core range from April 12 to 30 September 2021. 10p from all sales will go directly to providing vital support to End Youth Homelessness and its local partner charities. Additional donations can also be made in store at the till.

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Photo by Conor Samuel on Unsplash