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Rising stars release song for homeless helpline

Rising music stars have released a song to help young people at risk of homelessness.

Helpline Ring, a cover of the Drake hit Hotline Bling, will raise awareness for the Centrepoint Helpline, the first national advice service for young people at risk of homelessness.

The track was produced by Grammy-nominated Michael Angelo and features artists including Melissa Steel, Krishane, Levelle London and AJ & Deno.

Krishane said: “It’s unbelievable that so many young people don’t have somewhere safe to call home. It’s important that they know that help is out there, and if they call the helpline, someone will listen.”

The Standard’s Young and Homeless Helpline appeal raised more than £3 million to launch the Helpline and keep it running for at least a year.

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Homeless Helpline: BT hosts celebratory event to launch groundbreaking phone service

Centrepoint residents, trustees and staff celebrated the launch of the Young and Homeless Helpline on Monday with a reception at the BT Tower.

The event, sponsored by BT, marked the start of the first nationwide Freephone for people aged 16 to 25-years-old who are facing homelessness.

The helpline, launched through an Evening Standard charity appeal – in partnership with the Independent and the i newspaper- will offer support and guidance about finding accommodation for desperate young people across the UK.

Our four month-long campaign saw £3.25 million raised – meaning the helpline’s staff and volunteers can get to work, delivering help to those who most need it.

Helpline launch: Seyi with campaign manager Oliver Poole, left, and Deputy Mayor for housing, James Murray, right (JEFF MOORE)

At the celebratory event held last week, Centrepoint Chief Executive Seyi Obakin thanked Londoners for their generosity and praised them for turning the helpline into a reality.

Suzy Christopher, charity and community director, said: “The BT Tower event was a fantastic way to celebrate the launch of the new Centrepoint helpline and recognise the hard work put in my so many people.

“BT is pleased to be funding the helpline for the first three years so that even more of the funds raised can help run the service, and fund the much needed support programmes.’

Prince William: The Duke helped launch the phoneline (Jeremy Selwyn)

The helpline will run from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Callers will receive a personalised plan to help them navigate their situation – staff answering calls trained to understand housing law and provision.

Some 150,000 young people approach councils asking for help with housing every year, but many more who need advice don’t even make it that far. Centrepoint found that more than half of young people said they didn’t know where to find information.

The Helpline is a giant step forward for stopping vulnerable young people ever finding themselves with nowhere to go.

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How the Centrepoint Young and Homeless Helpline will make a huge difference to people's lives

The Centrepoint Helpline is a groundbreaking development in homelessness provision.

For the first time, all the information needed by young people who are homeless, or worried about becoming homeless, can be found in one place.

From 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, callers will receive a personalised plan to help them navigate their situation.

The priority is housing, so volunteers and staff answering calls will have training in housing law and provision.

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How will the helpline support young homeless people?

But they will also be able to advise on accessing counselling, employment and welfare support. Many of them have been homeless, so they can speak from experience.

With £3.25 million of funds raised, the helpline volunteers and staff can get to work knowing that their efforts will be fully funded for at least a year.

Helpline launch: Centrepoint will have its first phoneline for 16 to 25-year-olds (Samia Meah)

The hope is that when the line is established, they will expand the operating hours and into other forms of digital communication.

Ultimately, Centrepoint wants to be able to reach young people however they communicate - via text, instant message and, perhaps, WhatsApp and Snapchat, too.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5305031012001

Centrepoint poem about homelessness

If homelessness is to be eradicated it must start with prevention.

Some 150,000 young people approach councils asking for help with housing every year, but many more who need advice don’t even make it that far. Centrepoint found that more than half of young people said they didn’t know where to find information.

Helpline launch: The Prince helped to take the first call (Jeremy Selwyn)

The Helpline is a giant step forward for stopping vulnerable young people ever finding themselves with nowhere to go.

It will be helping to save lives for many years.

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan praises supporters of appeal that ‘changed how homeless see themselves'

Sadiq Khan today led expressions of thanks to Standard readers for their “incredible support” in making the Centrepoint Helpline a reality.

The Mayor said the Young and Homeless Helpline appeal meant the national Freephone service would now be a “lifeline” for many vulnerable Londoners.

He added: “The overwhelming response to the Evening Standard’s fundraising appeal is a tribute to how concerned Londoners are about this problem in their city.”

A highlight of the appeal was photographer Samia Meah’s journey from being homeless at 16 to a dream commission taking pictures of Prince William and Evening Standard proprietor Evgeny Lebedev to mark £1 million being raised for the helpline.

Homeless appeal: The Mayor met young homeless people with singer Ellie Goulding (PA)

Samia, 27, who met the Prince again today at the launch of the helpline, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who donated and the Evening Standard for running an appeal that shone a light on the issues surrounding youth homelessness.”

Centrepoint resident: Samia Meah (JEREMY SELWYN)

Matt Carlisle, 49, who went from homeless teenager to Centrepoint regional manager, said: “The appeal is changing the way the young people Centrepoint works with see themselves, and the way the public looks at the issue of homelessness.”

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Centrepoint campaign: Sadiq Khan backed our charity appeal

Sara Cox, Centrepoint Ambassador and Radio 2 DJ, said: “From today, young people whose lives are spinning out of control will finally have someone to turn to.”

Sarah Thoburn, manager at Bruce House, Centrepoint accommodation for homeless young people in Holborn, said: “There’s people in dangerous situations with nowhere to turn — but now the helpline will help them stay safe, so thank you to everyone who donated.”

Homeless campaign: Matt Carlisle, a former homeless person (Alex Lentati)

Monique Newton, 24, who was homeless at 15 but became a world champion power lifter, said the appeal had challenged stereotypes: “It’s good people now know that it affects all types of young people.”

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Centrepoint: Monique's story

Ben Wardlaw, 22, the son of a banker who became homeless as he battled mental illness, said the “pretty incredible campaign” had raised awareness of an issue that was “somewhat niche” a year ago.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron MP, who slept rough at Centrepoint’s Sleep Out which raised money for the appeal, said many lives would now be “changed for the better”.

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Ben's story Centrepoint

Kumba Kpakima, 18, who became homeless after the death of her mother when she was 15, said: “It’s something that a lot of people go through and it doesn’t have to be the breaking point in their lives.”

Centrepoint sleep out: Lib Dem leader Tim Farron (NIGEL HOWARD)

The aspiring journalist, who has met Prince William, did a week’s work experience with the Standard.

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Homeless Helpline: 'Because of your generosity, vulnerable young people will get the support they need'

In the years since I took over the Evening Standard we have supported some amazing causes: homeless veterans, literacy, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Felix Project, to name a few.

But this year’s campaign for Centrepoint has been special.

As our fundraising push draws to a close, we know that we have created a lasting, concrete contribution to fighting youth homelessness: the Centrepoint Helpline, which launched this morning.

With £3.25 million raised, its staff and volunteers can get to work, delivering help to those who most need it.

Helpline launch: Prince William with Mr Lebedev (Jeremy Selwyn)

In reporting on the many case studies for Centrepoint over the past few months, I heard countless variants of the same complaint: the system is too complicated, and it’s unclear where young people should go to get the help they need.

In the majority of cases young people became homeless through no fault of their own.

Homeless appeal: Evgeny Lebedev with Centrepoint resident Kumba and patron Prince William (Samia Meah)

Domestic life, for whatever reason, becomes unbearable, and at a stage in life when they most need a stable home, they are forced into a precarious homeless existence: whether rough sleeping, sofa surfing or living in temporary accommodation.

It can be an unbelievably difficult time.

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How will the helpline support young homeless people?

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Prince William answers calls for help from young and homeless

But as of this morning, thanks to the astounding generosity of Evening Standard readers, there is no further need for confusion.

By picking up the phone and calling the helpline for free, vulnerable young people will be able to get all the information and advice they need, on everything from housing, welfare, job and domestic skills.

When the adults in their lives may have let them down, they can know there will be a highly trained, sympathetic ear just a phone call away.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5305031012001

Homeless, by Natasha Thompson

As proprietor, nothing is more gratifying than seeing the power of Londoners when they rally behind a cause. Institutions have played their part, too - we are grateful to the Asos Foundation and Arsenal Foundation, among other big donors.

And we are grateful to Sadiq Khan, Theresa May, Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran and Phil Collins, among others.

But at the heart of it all is you, the Evening Standard readers.

Homeless helpline: The Evening Standard launched its Christmas appeal in November (NIGEL HOWARD)

Whether responding to ads on the Tube, vouchers in the paper, or a celebrity endorsement, you have shown that there is no problem that cannot be overcome.

This is the greatest city on Earth, not because of its old buildings or institutions, but because of the people who live and work here: dynamic, conscientious, informed and big-hearted.

It is a privilege to be custodian of its newspaper.

Once again, thank you.

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Prince William mans the phones to launch Centrepoint's first ever Young and Homeless Helpline

Prince William today launched the Centrepoint Helpline as it was hailed a “major step” towards ending youth homelessness.

He joined Evening Standard proprietor Evgeny Lebedev at the service’s central London HQ, listening in to one of the first calls and chatting to staff and volunteers.

The helpline - the first national Freephone service for 16 to 25-year-olds facing homelessness - is a reality thanks to Evening Standard readers.

Our Young and Homeless Helpline appeal, run alongside The Independent and the i newspaper, has raised £3.25 million to fund the service.

Homeless appeal: The Prince helped launch the phoneline with Evgeny Lebedev (Jeremy Selwyn)

Mr Lebedev said: “I’m delighted to have launched the helpline with the Duke of Cambridge today. It was his call to arms in November that spurred us on to launch the campaign.

“Youth homelessness is an unacceptable blight in modern Britain. The helpline will save lives and rescue countless more from vulnerable and perilous situations.

Launch: The Duke of Cambridge arriving at The Mix in London to launch the Centrepoint Helpline (PA)

“None of it would have been possible without the hard work of hundreds of people behind the scenes - Centrepoint, Standard staff, as well as the thousands of readers who have given so generously - so I’d like to thank them.”

Calling for action in November, William wrote a letter to Standard readers saying: “When a young person’s life falls apart they have nowhere to go.

Young and homeless: The helpline will help countless young people who are facing homelessness (Alex Lentati/ Jeremy Selwyn)

"This is why we are launching the Centrepoint Helpline. [It] will provide the information and support young people need before they become homeless.

“Over the past decade I have met hundreds of courageous and inspiring young people trying to escape homelessness. Unfortunately their courage alone is not enough.”

The prince has thanked readers for their “incredible” support during the appeal.

Fun and games: The Prince played a post-it note game with residents during a hostel visit (Getty Images)

At the launch today he met staff from Centrepoint and from The Mix, the partner charity that will help deliver the helpline.

After being welcomed by Centrepoint chief executive Seyi Obakin, he and Mr Lebedev took part in a training session then sat in on the first calls.

Prime Minister Theresa May, who gave her backing to the appeal in December said: "The launch is a big step forward in the fight against the scourge of homelessness.

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Centrepoint helpline:The Prmie Minister Theresa May backs the Evening Standard's Christmas campaign

"It’s the culmination of months of campaigning, fundraising and generosity on the part of so many people, including the readers of the Independent, The i, and Evening Standard.

"There can be no acceptance of rough sleeping in modern Britain – that’s why we are taking action to tackle the causes of homelessness through our £50 million trailblazers fund, and investing in services that take people off the street.

"With government action and support from people across society, this helpline can make a real difference to those people teetering on the brink of rough sleeping."

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Centrepoint campaign: Streets Of London Poem | Hussain's House

It is hoped the service will become the first stop for young people who are facing homelessness or already living on the streets.

It aims to end the current postcode lottery of advice - currently, at least 30,000 of more than 150,000 young people who each year ask for help with homelessness from local authorities are believed to be turned away with no support.

As well as providing housing support, experts will advise on issues that often lie behind homelessness such as mental health problems or family breakdown.

Homeless charity: Centrepoint CEO Seyi Obakin at a sleepout event with Sadie Frost (NIGEL HOWARD)

Staff will plug into a nationwide network of contacts, ensuring people can be directed towards local help.

Mr Obakin said: “Today, with the launch of the helpline, we take a major step towards realising our ambitious goal to end youth homelessness.

“In many towns and cities youth homelessness is reaching crisis point.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5305031012001

Centrepoint poem about homelessness

"Our research shows that for each young person sleeping on the streets, dozens more spend night after night on sofas of extended family and friends and, in some cases, in the beds of strangers.

“Some of these young people will have fled constant family arguments or violent partners, others will have exhausted the generosity of friends and find they have nowhere else to turn.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. Intervening early and decisively can change a young person’s future.

Labour leader: Jeremy Corbyn hailed the incredible response of readers (JEREMY SELWYN)

“That is what we now aim to do with the helpline.”

Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn hailed the inspiring response the helpline appeal has had, saying: “One in three young people seeking specialist help are being turned away by councils because of a lack of resources.

“That's why this helpline, reform to 'intentionally homeless' rules and proper funding for local government is so badly needed.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5249496353001

Jeremy Corbyn visits Centrepoint

“I’m pleased that readers have donated in such numbers – and I think the incredible response to this appeal shows people’s determination to make sure that homelessness has no place in a 21st century Britain."

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron added: “Thanks to the generosity of those who’ve supported this appeal, many lives will be changed for the better.

"This helpline will be crucial for those who have been let down time and time again.”

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Centrepoint campaign: Sadiq Khan backs the Evening Standard's Chirstmas appeal

And London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “The overwhelming response to [this] fundraising appeal is a tribute to how concerned people are about this problem.

"Centrepoint‘s new helpline will be a lifeline to many vulnerable young people.”

Kumba Kpakima, 18, who became homeless when her life fell apart after the death of her mother when she was 15, said: “I think the campaign has been great.

Homeless appeal: Mayor Sadiq Khan praised Londoners (PA)

"More people are aware of how [homelessness] can affect anyone. It’s not drug addicts, it’s bad things that happen to people which are out of their control.

"It is something that a lot of people go through and it doesn’t have to be the breaking point in their lives. It has changed people’s attitudes.

“I’m pleased the helpline is here. It will be a lifeline for people in a state of emergency who need help immediately, and people who just need someone to talk to and some advice.

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Centrepoint resident interns at the Evening Standard

The aspiring journalist, who has met Prince William and did a week’s work experience with the Standard during the appeal, said the experiences had “given me more confidence”

“It’s good to know there are people out there who want to give opportunities to young people like me, they want to support us and see us do well,” she said.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported the appeal.”

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Homeless Helpline: Prince William to help launch life-changing Centrepoint freephone

Today will mark the finale of the Evening Standard’s Young and Homeless Appeal as Prince William helps to launch Centrepoint’s life-changing helpline.

The Duke will assist as the first call is made to a nationwide helpline designed to support 16 to 25-year-olds who are homeless or facing homelessness.

The generous donations of Evening Standard readers have helped to raise a total of more then £3million which will provide these young people with the support to take control of their own lives.

The appeal was launched in partnership with The Independent and i newspaper after Prince William declared in November that the “scale of youth homelessness in this country is now shameful – it must not be ignored”.

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Centrepoint Young and Homeless Helpline

Throughout the appeal, young people who have endured homelessness themselves spoke out about their experiences of having no one to turn to or nowhere to go.

They told The Standard how the helpline would provide guidance and assistance which could prevent others from ending up in similar desperate situations.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5305031012001

Centrepoint poem about homelessness

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'Your donations have saved lives and given us a second chance’

Seyi Obakin, the chief executive of Centrepoint, who admitted to being “overwhelmed” by the support of readers, said: “Today, with the launch of the Centrepoint Helpline, we take a major step towards realising our ambitious goal to end youth homelessness.

“Intervening early and decisively to ensure that young people have the right advice and support can change a young person’s future. That is what we now aim to do with the Centrepoint Helpline.”

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5254208424001

Centrepoint campaign: Sadiq Khan backs the Evening Standard's Chirstmas appeal

His sentiments were echoed by Samia Meah, 27, who was helped by Centrepoint after becoming homeless aged 16.

“The helpline will be a game changer,” she said, “The first point of call for vulnerable young people facing homelessness, and an incredible resource to help people who don’t know where to turn.

“We are so grateful to everyone who donated and to The Independent for running an appeal that shone a light on the issues surrounding youth homelessness.”

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Centrepoint helpline:The Prmie Minister Theresa May backs the Evening Standard's Christmas campaign

Kumba Kpakima, 18, who became homeless when her life fell apart after the death of her mother when she was 15, added: “The campaign has been great.

"It has changed people’s attitudes. More people are aware of how youth homelessness can affect anyone, how it’s not about drug addicts, It’s bad things happening to people which are out of their control.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported the appeal. It’s good to know there are people out there who want to support young people like me and see us do well.”

The helpline will allow young people to plug into Centrepoint’s network of contacts and partner organisations all over the UK to get local, on the ground assistance.

“It will be the difference between young people living with the threat of sleeping rough hanging over them and them getting the support they need,” said Matt Carlisle, 49, who during the campaign told of his own journey from teenage homelessness to Centrepoint regional manager.

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Ben's story Centrepoint

“I know what the Helpline would have meant to me when I was younger: having access to that free, anonymous and non-judgemental advice when you’re facing impossible decisions could have changed things for me sooner.

“We’re so grateful to Evening Standard readers for their part in this campaign. It’s completely blown me away.”

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Homeless Helpline: Aspiring actors work to shed light on life in a youth hostel

A group of young actors hoping to shed light on the reality of living in a homeless hostel are performing a play based on the experiences of a former Centrepoint resident.

Passin’ Thru, a partly-improvised play set in a hostel, is being performed as part of the Evolution Festival at the Lyric Hammersmith.

The play follows the story of a homeless 19-year-old moving into a young hostel, similar to those run by youth homelessness charity Centrepoint.

It was written by playwright Finton Dineen - a friend of former Centrepoint resident and journalist Poppy Noor.

Youth drama: The cast in rehearsals (Michael Clarke)

The two worked together to create a series of scenarios based on Poppy’s own experiences of being homeless as a teenager.

The cast – some of whom have also been homeless – then improvised and built on these scenarios, drawing on their own experiences.

Mr Dineen said: “During the improvisation sessions a lot of themes coming up were about challenges facing homeless people.

Former homeless: Poppy lived in a hostel as a teenager

“Since some of the young people themselves are from homeless backgrounds, it was only natural that the play would be set in a hostel.

“Poppy’s own experiences mixed with the improvisations and culminated to create the final piece.”

“It is a completely different experience from normal theatre,” Ms Noor added.

Theatre group: The play is partly-improvised (Michael Clarke)

“I am no theatre critic, but when you are watching people perform part of your life and it rings true then that is when you know they can act.

“And they are acting on a lifetime’s worth of their own experiences too.”

The piece is directed by Rich Weinman, a freelance director.

Rehearsals: The play is being performed in March

“This isn’t a piece that has tried to tell their exact stories but you can’t help but feed into it,” he said. “It is putting up a raw honesty.

“There is a whole section of society that isn’t really spoken about and the actual reality that is not known.

“And I have come across these stories over and over again so for me it was an opportunity to do something on it.”

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Centrepoint helpline: Poppy's story

Twenty-year-old Oshay Wint said he hopes the play will encourage the audience to consider the complications of homelessness.

“Homelessness is a very real thing that happens,” he said.

“There are so many young people that get kicked out of their home and have nowhere to go.

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Centrepoint poem about homelessness

“It is a real stressful situation that a lot of people don’t understand.

“A lot of people hear hostel and think it’s a lot of young people hanging out and getting into fights but it’s a lot deeper than that.

“The play has got its odd comedic moments but at the same time there is some deeper stuff going on so I think the audience will come away with something on their mind.”

Changing perceptions: Former homeless person Poppy Noor

Aspiring actress Jasmine Adolphus-Edie, 25, added: “The themes of the play are love, lack of love, relationship and friendships. It just relates to real life.

Read more

Chef Aldo Zilli: 'London needs to wake up to problem of homelessness'

“Homelessness and housing, for people under 25, are big issues. And I think this play touches on that.”

Ms Noor, who became homeless at 16 after her relationship with her parents broke down, said the theatre group is an example of how “young people in hostels are just as capable of doing anything than anyone else”.

“There are things in life that people who from disadvantage are better at,” she said.

“People do not realise the kind of experience it gives you when you have to look after yourself.”

She added: “I think the play will help the audience to understand life in a hostel - the vulnerability and the fragility. It is both beautiful and horrible.”

The Evolution Festival will be running at the Lyric Hammersmith in March.

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Centrepoint helpline: Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli calls on Londoners to 'wake up' to homelessness

Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli called on London to “wake up” to the problem of homelessness as Centrepoint prepares to launch its first helpline for young people.

The Italian chef was holding a cooking class at the youth homelessness charity centred around teaching people life and employment skills.

Mr Zilli hosted the class at the Dean Street Café in Soho – which is staffed and run by Centrepoint residents.

The chef has long since had an interest in helping the homeless, as he experienced it himself as a teenager.

Cooking class: (L-R) Calum Fuller, Dean Masters, Aldo Zilli and Abdul Lelo Ndambi

“I was homeless at 16 when I left my home in Italy and moved to Munich,” he said. “I moved there because I lived in a fishing village where, in the winter, there was nothing to do and no jobs.

“I had somewhere to go when I got there but, when I arrived, I was let down. It was a struggle at the beginning.”

Mr Zilli was homeless a “short amount of time” before getting a job in a kitchen – which sparked his interest in cooking.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5317064916001

Centrepoint - Tesco fundraising

After three years he moved to London, going on to open a string of celebrated restaurants across the city.

Read more

Helpline bling: Urban stars record their take on Drake for Centrepoint

He spent many years both living and working on Dean Street – a stone’s throw away from the Centrepoint headquarters.

“Having lived in Soho for 30 years you see that homelessness is a big problem,” he said. “London does not deserve to be in this state with so many homeless people.

“We need to wake up and smell the coffee and we need to look after what is in front of us and what we are facing every day.”

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5305031012001

Centrepoint poem about homelessness

Dean Masters, who runs the training at the café, said the cookery scheme is a "social enterprise about trying to get young people into work".

“And everyone needs to learn to cook at some stage in their life – even simple stuff like boiling an egg," he said. "It is good for them to learn these skills.”

Mr Zilli added: “And it is healthy for them because then they don’t need to rely on fast food or ready meals.

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Centrepoint resident interns at the Evening Standard

“It is all about improving their lives, what they are doing and where they are living."

Abdul Lelo Ndambi is one of the young Centrepoint residents who is taking part in the scheme.

After being trained by Dean he has managed to get a placement at Mod Pizza in Leicester Square.

Enthusiastic student: Abdul Lelo Ndambi with chef Aldo Zilli

“Centrepoint gave me a lot of links which, if I was at home, I don’t believe I would have had," he said.

“Right now I am just building the foundation but one day I would like to own a restaurant.”

The money raised by the Standard’s Young and Homeless helpline appeal will also help fund workshops like the one Abdul attends.

“The helpline is great and will be good for young people who need it in the future,” he said. “It won’t be hard for them to get help straight away.

“It would have been good for me because I would have had advice which would have made things easier. The extra support will be there for the kids in the future now and I am happy to see that.”

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Centrepoint helpline: Tesco shoppers give generously to homeless appeal

Staff at one of the capital’s busiest Tesco stores today thanked Londoners for a “fantastic” start to four days of fundraising for our Young and Homeless Helpline appeal.

Workers are raising money at more than 500 Tesco Express, Metro and Super outlets across London.

More than £1,300 was raised yesterday at the Covent Garden, Dean Street and Regent Street stores.

At Regent Street, staff rattled donation buckets and created a party atmosphere as busker Nicola Hogg performed.

Fundraising drive: The Tesco team outside their store

Customers played table football and tried to win theatre tickets by correctly guessing the number of oranges in a Centrepoint hamper.

Manager Amanda Robinson said: “The response has been fantastic. Every day when we open the store there are people sleeping rough on the doorstep.

Charity appeal: Customers were offered free cake and juice

"No one wants to see anyone on the streets, especially young people.”

Accountant Daniel Johnson, who donated, said: “You see more and more homeless people on the streets - it is great to see something being done about it.”

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Helpline bling: London musicians record their take on Drake for Centrepoint appeal

London’s urban stars are joining forces to release a single raising awareness of Centrepoint’s new Young and Homeless Helpline.

Helpline Ring adapts Drake’s monster hit Hotline Bling, and adds lyrics reflecting the experience of young homeless people.

Produced by Grammy-nominated Michael Angelo, it features artists including Melissa Steel, Krishane, Will Simms, Bobii Lewis, AJ & Deno, and Levelle London - who himself experienced homelessness as a teenager.

It will be available for free online from Monday, February 20, a week after the launch of the Centrepoint Helpline - Britain’s first national Freephone number and web support service for young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Grammy nominee: Grime star Michael Angelo produced the track (Elliot Kennedy)

The Standard’s Young and Homeless Helpline appeal has raised more than £3 million to launch the service and keep it running for more than a year.

Each artist taking part in Helpline Ring has recorded a few lines, including: “Started eating less and staying out more/Carrying your bags and knocking door to door/Hanging with some crew you’ve never seen before.”

Charity single: Grime star Melissa Steel

It urges: “You need to call them on the helpline/Any time you need support/Call them on the helpline.”

Drake’s original Hotline Bling is up for best rap song at Sunday’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Homeless appeal: Musician Krishane also appears on the track

The video sparked a deluge of internet memes inspired by the Canadian rapper’s goofy but “on-point” dancing.

“It couldn’t be a better choice of song,” said Angelo, who produced tracks on Sam Smith’s platinum-selling album In The Lonely Hour and has worked with Tinie Tempah and Lady Leshurr.

London singer: Bobbii Lewis

“The key thing when doing something like this is to get the attention of the target demographic. It has to be relevant to them. And all young people know this song.

“It’s very exciting to have so many great artists on one re-cord, especially for such a good cause. I know people who’ve struggled with homelessness, so I am happy to help spread awareness of the helpline with this single.”

Young and homeless: Levelle London

‘I was sleeping on buses – that’s when I started my music’

“I started sleeping on buses aged 16,” said Levelle London. “I was living out of a bag, going from house to house, and that’s when I started making music.

“My situation was so harsh, I just started writing these raw, honest songs. Not every song is about homelessness or depression but I always make sure I keep talking about those things because music is my counselling, my diary.”

Levelle, right, added: “It started when I was 15. I had problems at home, moving in and out of my mum’s house in north London, sometimes in with my dad in south London, sometimes with friends. Sofa-surfing.”

At the time, the local council required parents to give permission for under-18s to seek rehousing. A breakdown in relationships meant Levelle couldn't get the required letter.

Even with no fixed address he continued to record music and play shows, and was support act for American R’n’B star Mario: “It was strange. I was supporting a big star, standing on stage thinking, ‘I don’t know where I’m staying tonight.’ It was a bittersweet time.”

Eventually, Alone in London, a service for 16- to 25-year-olds at risk of homelessness, set him up with a room in Hackney for a year. Now 24, he lives at Peter Bedford Housing Association in Hackney. Praising Centrepoint’s helpline, he said: “I wish I had something like this when I became homeless.”

As teenagers, Levelle and his best friend promised each other they would make it: “We were in a science lesson and my friend said to me, ‘One day, we’re both going to be on the red carpet.’”

His friend kept his promise: John Boyega is now a Hollywood star — and invited Levelle to the London premiere of Star Wars.

“At the premiere I said to him, ‘John, we did it, we’re on the red carpet.’ Now it’s my turn to take him to the red carpet. I’ve just got to put the work in.”

Nick Connolly, Centrepoint’s corporate development manager, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to these wonderful artists for giving up their time to support Centrepoint in connecting with some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities.”

The helpline will offer housing support and help with the issues behind homelessness such as mental health, family breakdown and addiction.

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Homeless Helpline: Tesco launches fundraising drive in support of Centrepoint appeal

Tesco today began a major fundraising drive across its London stores to support our Young and Homeless Helpline Appeal.

For the next four days, leading up to the launch of the Centrepoint Helpline on Monday, staff will raise money at more than 500 Tesco Express, Metro and Super outlets.

Workers in fancy dress or wearing Centrepoint T-shirts and jackets will be encouraging shoppers to put donations into buckets.

Our appeal has already raised more than £3 million to launch the first Freephone number and web support service for people aged 16 to 25 facing homelessness.

Homeless helpline: The stores are supporting our Centrepoint (JEREMY SELWYN)

Tesco’s fundraising will help ensure the long-term future of the helpline and support other vital services for young people living in Centrepoint accommodation.

Martin Smith, the retailer’s London convenience director, said: “We’re always looking at ways to support communities and we’re delighted to pledge our support to Centrepoint and the Evening Standard campaign.

Tesco CEO: Matt Davies praised his staff

“Over 500 of our stores in London will be fundraising over the weekend and we’d like to thank customers and colleagues for their support.

‘Support of our customers and staff is humbling’

For the next four days more than 500 of Tesco’s London stores will be fundraising for the Evening Standard’s Young and Homeless Helpline Appeal.

The money will help Centrepoint set up a national support service for those who are, or could become, homeless.

We know our customers, colleagues and their communities care deeply about the plight of the homeless. That’s why we’re doing our bit to help.

We’re delighted to pledge our support to the Standard campaign, and I am confident the helpline will provide vital support.

This builds on the other ways we’re helping our communities. We donate surplus food —which might otherwise have gone to waste — from our stores to local groups, including many that support homeless people, through our Community Food Connection programme.

This provides charities like Evolve Housing + Support in Stockwell with a regular supply of fresh produce, allowing their resources to be focused on helping people off the streets.

I am constantly humbled by the efforts that Tesco colleagues and our customers go to in support of such important causes.

I’d like to thank everyone who will support Centrepoint. It will make a big difference.

Matt Davies

CEO Tesco UK & ROI

"The campaign builds on work we are doing to provide surplus food from our stores to help those in need and I am confident the helpline can offer vital support to help prevent homelessness.”

Adrian Connell, Tesco area manager for central London, said: “Working here, you can’t miss the extent of the homelessness problems and I believe there are more and more young people each year. We are glad to help.”

Singer-songwriter Nicola Hogg, 25, who won best song at the Gigs busking competition organised by the Mayor of London last year, will be performing at Tesco Metros in Regent Street, Soho and Covent Garden over the weekend to help bring in crowds.

She said: “I busk a lot on the Underground and in central London. You can see every day how serious the issue of homelessness is. I’m really pleased to be raising awareness.”

Charlotte Surman, corporate development manager at Centrepoint, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have Tesco behind our campaign and we thank everyone who is going to donate.

"Having it help promote the helpline in the run-up to the launch is also invaluable.”

Tesco is the latest high-level supporter of the Young and Homeless Helpline Appeal — the Standard’s most successful charity drive without government funding.

"Other companies giving their backing include ASOS and Deliveroo.

Currently, some 30,000 of more than 150,000 young people who ask for help with homelessness from local authorities each year are turned away with no advice.

The helpline will offer housing support and, working alongside charity The Mix, help with the issues behind homelessness, such as mental health, family breakdown and addiction.

To give to the appeal, call 0300 330 2731, text HOME66 £5 to 70070 or click here.

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Once homeless, now stars of our glamorous shoot in aid of the Centrepoint helpline

They are the stars of a glamorous fashion shoot, but these four young people were all once homeless.

They, and three others helped by charity Centrepoint, feature in this week’s ES Magazine, as part of our Young and Homeless Helpline appeal, and talk about their experiences.

“There’s a stigma about people who are called homeless, as if they’re beneath society,” says photographer Anna McGrane, who left home at 18 after rows with her family.

“People don’t realise it could happen to anyone.”

Journalist: Sophia Kichou became homeless at 18 (Chris Floyd)

Sophia Kichou, who launched a career in journalism and is a parliamentary assistant, says when she was 18 and living in a hostel: “I couldn’t imagine my own future.”

Read more

Wanted: volunteers to staff UK’s first helpline for young and homeless

Personal trainer and athlete Alex Bonnick says it was hard to find himself in hostels at 17.

“But I always see beyond the obstacle. That’s the trick.”

Victoria Taiwo, who now has a clothes company, says: “Everybody has something to offer to the world.”

To give to the appeal, call 0300 330 2731, text HOME66 £5 to 70070 or click here.

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Centrepoint and The Mix call on volunteers to help staff UK’s first helpline for young and homeless

Charites today called for volunteers to help staff the UK’s first helpline for homeless young people.

Thanks to more than £3 million raised by the Standard’s Young and Homeless Helpline charity appeal, the Centrepoint Helpline will launch on Monday.

Experts from Centrepoint will give vital early intervention housing and homelessness advice on the Free-phone line to people aged 16 to 25 facing life on the streets.

Working alongside staff and volunteers from charity The Mix, callers will also get support on the complex issues that often lie behind homelessness, such as mental health or family breakdown.

Homeless helpline: The Freephone will support young homeless people (Matt Writtle)

The two charities have hailed the partnership as “groundbreaking” in the level of support for callers.

They will share a call centre space in central London and work together to answer phones. Callers will be passed between the services depending on what support they need.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5305031012001

Centrepoint poem about homelessness

Both charities are now looking for volunteers, working remotely and in their call centre, to staff their help-lines and web services.

Centrepoint is initially looking for 50 volunteers to speak to callers and online users when its helpline expands this summer to include SMS, live web chat, and other forms of digital communication.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5224355106001

Centrepoint Homeless Helpling

It has the staff and volunteers to operate the helpline, but wants more volunteers as numbers accessing the service increase in coming months.

The Mix, the UK’s leading youth advisory charity, is also looking to recruit 150 volunteers to sustain an expected boom in demand.

It offers advice and counselling on topics including bullying, debt, drink, drugs and mental and sexual health that can be the trigger for people ending up homeless.

Could you do it?

Minimum time required: At least 2-3 hours a week.

Helpful attributes: Good communication and listening skills, IT skills, calmness under pressure, empathy.

Roles: Offering emotional support and directing young people to services through phone calls, emails, and webchat. Moderating web forums and managing live chat groups.

Location: From home or at the call centre.

Training: Full training on how to give support, and use equipment and systems.

For more details, visit themix.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering or centrepoint.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer

Chris Martin, chief executive of The Mix, said: “Many volunteers find the experience personally rewarding and empowering. It can be a great way to meet new people, share your own experiences, earn an accreditation and to make a big impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of young people in crisis.”

The Mix’s website services are visited by two million young people a year, 1.1 million of them from London, including 520,960 aged under 25.

Some 20,000 people have contacted its helpline, including 2,000 calls about housing support.

Callers are given immediate support and signposted to other services which can give them longer-term help.

Heather Devine, 35, The Mix’s office manager, who started off as a volunteer in October 2015, said: “I’d recommend volunteering. The hours are very flexible, and the difference you can make to young people’s lives is incredibly rewarding.”

To give to the appeal, call 0300 330 2731, text HOME66 £5 to 70070 or click here.

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Homeless Helpline: '£3m Centrepoint campaign has challenged stereotypes of youngsters on the streets'

Young people who have shared their experiences of homelessness with Evening Standard readers have praised our charity appeal for challenging the stereotypes of how teenagers end up on the streets.

The Centrepoint Helpline, giving support and advice to people aged 16 to 25 facing homelessness, will launch on Monday. It follows our three-month Young and Homeless Helpline appeal, which has raised more than £3 million for the charity to launch the nationwide Freephone line.

Sade Banks-Brown became homeless at 16 after her relationship with her mother broke down and she struggled with anxiety and depression.

She said: “What has been really brilliant about this appeal is it has allowed people to see beyond the stereotypes.

“It has shown all the different sides to young people becoming homeless — the impacts that mental health and family breakdown can have.”

Now 24 and the community engagement manager at the Barbican Centre, she said: “I have had a lot of friends and professional contacts who have now told me, ‘This has now given me huge respect and admiration for these young ex-homeless people and what they have gone on to achieve. And now I have signed up as a donor.’ ”

Tori Taiwo: She is now a photographer and fashion dress maker (Alex Lentati)

Tori Taiwo, 30, who ended up homeless nine years ago after falling out with her mother and a family friend who had first taken her in, said: “The appeal has helped open people’s eyes, to see what homelessness really looks like, to see homeless or ex-homeless people as human.

“I hope that some of the stories have helped people who are homeless now realise that people in their situation can succeed, that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

They both said the Centrepoint Help-line will be a vital support service.

Miss Taiwo said: “Everyone has greatness within them. It’s just a matter of giving them that chance.

“If you can help someone who is down on their luck, who hasn’t had a good start in life, if you can help them to help themselves, that changes their mindset. And that changes everything.

“If, when I was homeless, I had had that opportunity to have someone at a helpline to talk to, it would have made things much better for me. So I am happy for those young homeless people who are going to have that boost, that ‘go-to person’ a helpline can provide.

“And when you are homeless, hearing someone at the end of a phone line who genuinely cares — that can restore your faith in humanity.”

Ms Banks-Brown said: “Having a help-line with dedicated staff who have been trained to listen, to guide and support young people who find themselves in the darkest situations, really is going to be a lifeline.

"Just that friendly voice, a bit of reassurance when you are at your lowest, can be so helpful, particularly for young people who don’t have a family support network, or who are suffering abuse — there are so many different layers to homelessness.

“There is nothing like this helpline and it is needed more than ever. There have been so many cuts in the last few years to youth services and provision — the youth advice centre where I found out about Centrepoint doesn’t exist any more.

“The helpline will help us solve problems at the beginning, to stop there being more older adults who are homeless. It will allow us to get at the root cause, to get people back on their feet before they start that downward spiral towards things like prison and drug dependency.”

More than 150,000 16- to 24-year-olds approach councils in the UK every year to seek help because they are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with up to a third turned away with little no support.

Since 2010, the number of young people under 25 sleeping rough in London has more than doubled from 330 to 830.

Many more experience the turmoil of moving from sofa to sofa in their search for somewhere safe to sleep for another night. Others risk abuse by spending the night with a stranger to get a roof over their head.

Ben Wardlaw, 22, the son of a banker who became homeless as he battled mental illness, said: “Because at the moment a great many of those who present themselves to the authorities as homeless immediately drop off the map, we don’t know what happens to these people.

“I am certain that a great deal of them do end up taking their own lives through mental health issues or overdosing on drugs. Or they find themselves in situations that cause physical ill health that means they lose their lives. This help-line is there to stop that happening.”

Monique Newton, 24, who became a champion powerlifter after Centrepoint helped her at the age of 15, said the helpline would make a big difference.

She said: “Every week I get young people asking me how they could get help or where they can go to get help. People reach out to me on my personal Facebook, on Twitter and through my charity. The situation is bad.”

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Homeless Helpline: 'I was pregnant and homeless at 18. Centrepoint gave me a chance'

Before she worked at one of the world’s leading law firms, Claudette Shay was a frightened homeless teenager who had just found out she was pregnant.

Aged 18, she was staying in a woman’s refuge in south east London, having left home at 16, unable to live any longer with her mother.

She had been placed by her local authority in the basic temporary accommodation and was working in Primark, feeling fortunate to have not had to spend any time on the streets but often “really alone.”

When she discovered she was pregnant to her long-term boyfriend, she was scared about the circumstances she was bringing her child into.

New life: Claudette and her son on his first day of school

She said: “I was happy, but I was terrified, I didn’t know what I was doing or where I would be living when I had my baby. I just wanted to be a good mum. I didn’t want him to have the same life I’d had.

“We couldn’t stay at the refuge, it wasn’t allowed, and it could feel like a prison anyway. I didn’t know what would happen to us.”

At that time in March 2010, she says it seemed impossible that less than three years later she would be working for leading US law firm Latham & Watkins, in its offices in Bishopsgate in the City.

Fresh start: her son on his first day of school

Even more remarkable, she says, was that it came after she had dropped out of college and not finished her A-levels as she struggled to cope with being homeless.

But her life began to turn around after she was referred to youth homelessness charity Centrepoint.

They moved her into specialist mother and baby accommodation in Lewisham, south east London in summer 2010 when she was seven months pregnant.

'So alone': Claudette turned her life around with the help of Centrepoint

After her son was born in Lewisham Hospital, she brought him up in a shared flat with two other young mothers, while getting support from Centrepoint staff there.

Read more

The Evening Standard's Homeless Helpline appeal hits £3million

The birth was the trigger for a much-improved relationship with her mother, who came to see her the day her son was born.

Claudette was keen to keep moving forward, and when her son was 18 months old, joined Centrepoint’s Workwise scheme– one of the skills programmes that will be funded through our Young and Homeless Helpline appeal.

It offers workshops, one-to-one support and work experience opportunities for young people in the charity’s accommodation to find work and move on in their lives.

Having impressed on the course, starting in August 2012, aged 20, she worked in a paid placement for six months as an accounting assistant and six months as a library technician for Latham & Watkins.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5305031012001

Centrepoint poem about homelessness

She earned enough to move into her own privately-rented flat in South Bermondsey, south London. Her son went to nursery.

Her experience with the law firm impressed bosses at GSM university in Greenwich to the extent she was offered a place despite not having the A-levels normally required to do a degree.

After graduating with a 2:2 in Human Resources Management in August last year, now, aged 24, she is looking for full-time work and still living in her flat with her son, now six.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5285236590001

Centrepoint resident interns at the Evening Standard

“A lot of people can write you off and judge you when you come from where I had. I wanted to give a better life to my son, to all the opportunities that were offered to me,” she said.

“But things were tough because I hadn’t finished college, I didn’t have good qualifications, it was hard to imagine getting a good opportunity anywhere,” she added. “So getting that opportunity through Latham & Watkins and Centrepoint was so important.”

She said she was delighted the Workwise skills programme would “help transform more lives” by also benefiting from the Young and Homeless Helpline appeal funding.

Our charity appeal has raised more than £3million to launch the UK’s first helpline for 16 to 25-year-olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Because of the incredible amount raised, money can now also be spent on programmes providing Centrepoint young people with the skills they need to get back into employment or education.

It comes as the charity is expanding the programme by setting up apprenticeship opportunities where young people come out with recognised qualifications.

Sally Orlopp, Director of Skills and Employability at Centrepoint, said: It’s about creating a pathway for young people, wherever you are when you come into Centrepoint, we can take you on that journey to job and career.”

Centrepoint offering accredited apprenticeships and traineeships

Centrepoint is expanding its programmes helping young people overcoming homelessness into work by offering apprenticeships and traineeships.

The homeless charity is offering work-based learning qualifications to young people on its Centrepoint Works employment programme.

It currently offers work experience, expert advice and job skills workshops to prepare young people for a career through the Workwise programme.

But Centrepoint has now expanded its offering to provide accredited apprenticeships and traineeships, both to young people within its services and other disadvantaged young people across the UK.

It plans to offer them in a number of fields including retail, catering, business management, customer service, health and social care, and business administration.

Among the partnerships struck up already include a catering/hospitality traineeship opportunity with American restaurant chain, MOD Pizza.

Over the 12 week programme young people will receive catering training in the kitchen of the charity’s Dean Street Café in Soho which they will put to use on a traineeship programme, with the end goal being to secure employment.

The charity is looking for businesses who want to get involved in also offering opportunities at their businesses.

It comes as the Government is increasing the obligation on larger companies to provide apprenticeships with the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy on 6 April, 2017.

The levy requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill over £3 million each year, to invest in apprenticeships.

Sally Orlopp, Director of Skills and Employability at Centrepoint, said: “By offering traineeships, young people will get recognised qualifications which can lead into a job.

“By offering apprenticeships, young people will have a job and study for qualifications alongside this.

“It’s about creating a pathway for young people, wherever you are when you come into Centrepoint, we can take you on that journey to job and career.”

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The Evening Standard's Homeless Helpline appeal hits £3million

Today I am delighted to announce that the Evening Standard’s Young & Homeless Appeal has smashed through the £3 million barrier.

More than anything, this remarkable achievement is testament to the extra-ordinary generosity of you, the readers, and your commitment to fighting the scourge of youth homelessness.

In such a prosperous and thriving city, it is shameful that so many thousands of young people find themselves sleeping rough or in perilous temporary accommodation.

This money will enable the creation of Centrepoint’s Young & Homeless Helpline.

This free helpline will be the first centralised youth homelessness advice service and will provide those who are at risk of sleeping on the streets with the help they need, when they need it.

Read more

'Your donations have saved lives and given us a second chance’

But that is not all. Thankfully, we now have the money to also help give vulnerable young people the training they need to get into work, treat their mental health issues and learn the skills they need to achieve successful independent lives.

Most of the £3 million has been raised from Londoners, whether responding to Centrepoint’s adverts on the Tube, vouchers in this paper or the charity auctions running on the Evening Standard website.

Corporate donors have also played their part. The Asos Foundation, The Arsenal Foundation, Cameron Mackintosh, Deliveroo and Airbnb, in particular, have been extraordinarily generous.

But we would not have hit £3 million without the backing of some of London’s leading names from business, the arts and politics. Sadiq Khan, Theresa May, Tim Farron and Jeremy Corbyn have pledged their support, along with Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding and Phil Collins.

In particular, I would like to recognise Prince William, whose call for action was the inspiration behind the whole campaign and who will be there supporting the Helpline’s volunteers when it launches in 10 days’ time.

On behalf of the Evening Standard, Centrepoint, and thousands of the country’s most vulnerable young people for years to come, I would just like to say: Thank you.