Ive been homeless since I was 15. I'm now 18. I've been stayin on sofas and sometimes on park benches or in the town centre And I have stil managed to keep a job. I am sick of it and my council won't help me. The little money I make goes on food or paying to stay at people's houses for a weekend and I just want advice on what to do. My mother got ill and has passed away and I have no family
Sam
Hi there,
Being homeless means not having somewhere to live. Many homeless young people are forced to sleep on the street and on park benches, doorways or under bridges. Sometimes friends or family might lend a bed or sofa for the night but this might not always happen and can be unsafe.
Your local authority and social services have a duty to help homeless people under the age of 18. At 18 you are classed as an adult, and will be a priority case for help with housing if you are under 21 and have been in care or if you’re pregnant or have children.
If you find your local council are not helping, you can try contacting Shelter who can give you practical advice on what to do next. There is also quite a bit of information on a website called The Mix which explains how to find an outreach worker to support you. If you’re aged 16-25, you may be able to get onto a Night stop scheme, which lets you stay in the safe home of a volunteer.
It's good that you are reaching out to try and get help. You can talk to a Childline counsellor for support up to the age of 19. It’s free to call Childline from any phone – including public payphones and we are open 24 hours a day. You can also get in touch online through a 1-2-1 chat.
Thanks for your letter.
Take care,
Sam
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