Children & Young Persons Project is secured thanks to support from the Steve Morgan Foundation

The Whitechapel Centre is delighted to announce it has secured 3 year funding from the Steve Morgan Foundation for our Children & Young Persons Project.
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The project complements the housing support we provide to homeless families by focusing on the well-being of children who experience homelessness. It will primarily work with children whose families are supported through the Belvidere Family Centre, Yates Court and Resettlement Service.
 
Clair Smith, manager at Yates Court family centre said, “We are so pleased that we are able to provide this extra support which is targeted at the children. Becoming homeless is difficult at any age but for children and young people it is particularly scary and confusing. The disruption to schooling, friendships and family life can have a huge and long-lasting impact so it’s vital that we can address it as soon as possible. We’re really grateful to the Steve Morgan Foundation for their support.”
Children who experience homelessness can be at risk of low self-esteem, low confidence, anxiety and mental health problems as a result of homelessness or the events which led to homelessness. A child's performance at school can be affected by unrecognised or unmet educational needs, lost learning time, worry and insecurity making it harder for children to commit their full attention. 

The project offers additional support to children to mitigate the risk of these issues arising and to provide a route back to stability where they do arise.  The focus will be education and development, health and well-being and connecting families into the local community to access leisure and cultural events. 
 
Our experienced worker will identify the young person’s support needs and agree a  plan. She will access the appropriate help, facilitating access to mainstream services   and advocating for specialist provision.  Alongside this we will offer a range of therapeutic activities for the children and young people; an opportunity to engage in fun, meaningful activities that will help enhance social engagement and improve self-confidence, health and well-being.  Our regular activities include weekly yoga, mindfulness, drama and music sessions, story-time and a homework club.  

Liam Eaglestone, CEO of the Steve Morgan Foundation said: "Education and wellbeing of children and young people of the Liverpool area are matters close to our hearts at the Steve Morgan Foundation, especially when this is compounded by issues around homelessness. We are delighted to be working with The Whitechapel Centre and provide the essential funding needed to allow them to deliver their vital support through the Children and Young Persons Project.”