Southampton-based young people’s charity, No Limits, is concerned about the rising number of young people facing issues with housing and homelessness, the cost of living, and their mental health, in the run up to Christmas.
Demand for help is increasing. In the last year, the number of young people asking for support with money has increased by 35%, help with housing by 25% and mental health support by 21%. The charity now supports around 1,500 young people each month.
With the Big Give Week underway, No Limits is calling on the public to help them support vulnerable young people through the hardest months of the year, facing the added pressures of winter and the loneliness of Christmas.
Donations made to No Limits during the Big Give Week (finishing at 12:00pm Tuesday 5th December) will be match-funded, meaning that any donations made are doubled, helping No Limits to support twice as many young people.
- Donating £7 will enable No Limits to buy essential items for a homeless young person, such as a hat and gloves.
- Donating £16 will mean a young person receives a toiletries pack, or a present can be given to someone who won’t receive any others this year.
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Donating £27 will help No Limits to keep their Advice Centre open for young people to use as a safe, warm space and get vital support.
Donate to No Limits during the Big Give Week here: donate.biggive.org/campaign/ a056900002RXqQ3AAL
Find out more about No Limits’ Christmas campaign: nolimitshelp.org.uk/christmas2023
Support includes No Limits’ open-access Advice Centre on Southampton High Street, open for young people to use as a safe, warm space and talk to a youth worker; support from specialist youth workers who help young people to get off the street and out of unsafe living, into secure accommodation; supporting young people’s mental health with immediate youth worker support and counselling; giving out food vouchers, winter clothing and Christmas presents to young people struggling with the cost of living.
A homeless young person who has been receiving support from No Limits, said “I am 22 years old with a 2 and a half year old son. We have been homeless since June 2023 and move in between B&Bs, where the council can find us accommodation. We are both autistic, so moving frequently is very straining on us. No Limits have given me so much help to keep me and my son off the streets, liaising with the council and social services to try and find longer-term accommodation, helping to sort out my bills and make sure I have enough food to see us through, as well as letting me use the washing machine and tumble dryer at the Advice Centre. I’m so grateful and I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
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