A Coventry charity that supports young people facing homelessness has seen a four-fold increase in demand, a leading business figure has been told.

Corin Crane, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, paid a visit to Bardsley Youth Project in Hill Top in the city centre.

Simon Ree runs the centre, that vows to ‘walk with’ young people aged 16 to 25 rather than signpost them. Corin spoke to Simon to find out how businesses across the region could support the organisation.

Simon, who was helped by the project as a youngster and has gone on to become CEO, explained the range of services he and his small team offered - from drop-in sessions to help furnishing accommodation when it becomes available.

Bardsley Youth Project, which is partially funded through grants from a range of bodies, also offers one-to-one support to individuals and can help with filling in forms or introducing them to partner organisations to assist in finding them a home.

It also relies on donations from individuals and businesses to fulfil the needs of young people that don't neatly fall under the bracket of a particular programme. 

Warwick Events in Stratford, for example, has provided the project with valuable support over the past few years including financial donations as well as mentoring and organisational support.

Simon said: “We work with young people who are either homeless or at risk of being homeless.

“Sometimes you hear the phrase that we signpost people; we prefer to say we walk with them. If I tell a vulnerable young person where they can go and who they can speak to get help, they probably walk out the door and don’t do anything with information.

“But, if I’ve gained their trust and I say to them that I’ll take them there, I’ll introduce them and support them, there’s a much better chance of a positive outcome.

“We’ve seen a four-fold increase in demand for our services since I became CEO in 2019. That’s partly down to the fact that we are doing better at letting people know we are here and what we can do to help, but there’s also the fact that more people need support too.

“So, we need help. Naturally, we’re grateful of financial donations but we also want businesses in the region to spread the word about us and it might be someone can offer help in a different way.

“A law firm might be able to help us with some legal services or if someone is getting rid of a sofa they might look to donate that to us so we can potentially pass it on to a young person when they find a home.

“Basically, we just want businesses to bear us in mind and help in any way they can so we can continue to serve the young people in the city in their moment of need.”

Rachel Orman, of Bardsley Youth Project, added: “Partnerships are becoming more and more integral to our work at Bardsley Youth Project.

“We value the unique skills and perspectives that professionals in other fields can bring, and we love to shout about not only our work, but the good work that others are doing to support us. We're excited to share a case study on our partnership working with Warwick Events in our upcoming impact report, so watch this space!”

Corin said: “I was absolutely blown away by the work that Simon, Rachel and the team do at the Bardsley Youth Project.

“By joining up young people with the services they need and by creating trust with them, the project is having a hugely positive impact in the city.

“So, my ask to businesses is to find out more about the project and do whatever you can to help.”

For more information, visit the website. Partnership enquiries can be directed to rachel@bardsleyyouth.org

Pictured: Simon Ree (left) with Corin Crane