We are really pleased to announce Youth Voice, a new partnership with St Basil’s and LandAid, two organisations working to tackle youth homelessness. The three-year partnership is committing over £200,000 to give young people who have experienced homelessness a voice and ensure their contributions are valued.
Youth Voice creates a safe and inclusive space for young people to develop confidence, leadership, and communication skills, enabling them to influence decision-making and policy. By sharing their lived experiences and advocating for change, these individuals will shape and improve services impacting the lives of young people who experience homelessness across the country.
Over the next three years, the project will work with over 70 young people from the West Midlands – made up of St Basil’s Youth Advisory Board members and Resident Representatives across its accommodation projects. In partnership with LandAid, we will work with St Basil’s to expand the project across our networks.
Former Youth Voice members have spoken about the programme's impact on their lives.
Jodie found a sense of belonging, professional opportunities, and a supportive family through Youth Voice. Emily credits the programme for boosting her confidence and facilitating personal and professional growth. Kayne highlights how Youth Voice empowered him to make a difference and connect with others. The project will support many others to have the same experience.
Tamzin Reynolds-Rosser, National Youth Engagement Manager at St Basil’s, commented:
"We are incredibly excited about the funding agreement with Berkeley Foundation and LandAid. This partnership will have a transformative impact on the lives of many young people who are in fear of or have experienced homelessness. With this funding, we will be able to provide even more support, opportunities, and a sense of belonging to young people who have been through the most challenging times. Our aim is to create a safe and inclusive space where these individuals can develop their confidence, leadership, and communication skills.”
Clare Maddison, Interim Head of the Berkeley Foundation, said:
“We’re thrilled to build on our partnership with St Basil’s by supporting the growth and development of the fantastic Youth Voice programme. Through our 2030 Strategy, we want to ensure that young people are empowered to positively impact their own lives and the communities in which they live – this project will do just that and we’re excited to actively involve young people in our own grant-making practice through this work too.”
Paul Morrish, LandAid CEO added:
“LandAid is delighted to continue to support the St Basil’s Youth Voice programme in partnership with the Berkeley Foundation. Enabling a safe space and elevated platform where young people can talk about their experiences of homelessness for good, is so valuable. Sadly, we know that more young people are facing homelessness every year with over 129,000 young people aged 16-24 approaching their local council for housing support last year alone, right across the UK. I applaud the young people who are coming forwards confidently through the Youth Voice programme to share reality of youth homelessness. Together, we can provide education, change, and hope for those who feel they have nowhere else to turn.”
Learn more about this vital work by visiting https://stbasils.org.uk/youth-voice/