Depaul UK

We’re thrilled to announce our Charity of the Year partnership with Gatehouse Bank plc. Together, we’re gearing up for an exciting 2025 filled with impactful initiatives to support young people experiencing homelessness. We’re kicking off the year with Gatehouse’s first fundraising event for Depaul UK Feel Good February – a team step challenge taking place next month!   Charles Haresnape, CEO of Gatehouse Bank, said: “We are excited to be partnering with Depaul UK, a charity doing incredible work to support young people experiencing homelessness. "Our colleagues always go above and beyond to raise money for our chosen charity and I know that the year ahead will be no different. I’m looking forward to getting involved with the fundraising and volunteering efforts myself and seeing how much money we can raise for such a valuable cause.”   You can find out more about the partnership here: https://lnkd.in/e5f23Wkt   If your workplace is looking for a new Charity of the Year partner, please get in touch with partnerships@depaulcharity.org.uk.    

Temperatures are plummeting across the UK this week, dropping as low as -3°C in some areas. For those facing homelessness, the cold weather can be life-threatening. A small act of kindness or a quick report to the right organisation could save a life this winter. Here are some of the ways you can make a difference: - Alert StreetLink If you see someone sleeping rough, use the StreetLink App to connect them with local services that can provide shelter and support. - Show small acts of kindness A friendly conversation, a warm coat, a pair of gloves, or even a hot drink can mean a lot to someone sleeping rough. - Check with your local council Many councils activate Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (SWEP) during freezing conditions to provide emergency shelter. Contact your council to see if SWEP is activated or find out what other services are available for people to access. Find out more ways on how you can help someone experiencing homelessness this winter in our blog: https://lnkd.in/ecqNKCPu

As part of our urgent winter appeal, we’re sharing inspiring stories of the young people we’ve helped find a safe place to stay in a crisis. At 21, Mo experienced homelessness. But with the support of Nightstop, our emergency accommodation service, Mo began to get this life back on track. Today, he is happily married, has a beautiful family, and thrives as a full-time HGV driver. Hear his story in his own words, and donate to our appeal to support more young people like Mo. https://lnkd.in/etzSXie8

“You think you’ve hit rock bottom, and then you realise rock bottom has a basement.” As part of our urgent winter appeal, we’re sharing the stories of young people we’ve helped find a safe place to stay in a crisis. Jamie from Middlesbrough was wandering the streets with just a backpack, soaked by the rain, when he realised he’d hit rock bottom. Thankfully, he found our services and got the help he needed to get back on his feet. Hear his story in his own words and donate to our appeal to support more young people like Jamie. https://lnkd.in/etzSXie8

“There will be people that slept out tonight that will be wandering the streets tomorrow, trying to get the price of a cup of tea and it breaks my heart.” Our Regional Engagement Officer, Tony Packwood, was one of hundreds of people who joined the CEO Sleep Out at Lords Cricket Ground last month to raise money to support people experiencing homelessness. The annual event sees business executives and leaders from across the UK sleeping outside to experience a little bit of what it’s like for those sleeping rough. Tony was joined by our corporate partners OSB Group and Alfa Financial Services. Tony shares his emotional experience of a long, cold, and uncomfortable night. Thank you, Tony, and to our corporate partners for taking part and raising crucial funds. You are an inspiration!

“It wasn’t just a roof over my head, it was the conversations and encouragement that gave me hope and reminded me of my worth.” Yasmina, who just over a year ago was living in her car on the outskirts of Newcastle city centre, recently reunited with Mark and Elisabeth, the Nightstop hosts who welcomed her into their home, kept her safe, and whose kindness played a critical role in her journey from crisis to stability. Since then, Yasmina’s life has completely transformed – she now has a job, a permanent place to stay and a role as a Depaul UK ambassador. She was thrilled when the BBC gave her an opportunity to reunite with the couple and tell them all about it. https://lnkd.in/ewryv3x8

This festive season, a very enthusiastic team from PMD Business Finance joined us to help decorate and bring some Christmas cheer to one of our supported accommodation services in Manchester. In this video, John Platt, Head of Structured Finance, shares why the team was so delighted to be involved and how they hope their partnership with Depaul UK will make a positive impact on young people experiencing homelessness. A huge thank you to all of our corporate sponsors across the country who helped light up our services this Christmas! Newcastle Building Society Taylor Wimpey plc NatWest Group French Connection Egis OSB Group Alfa Financial Software Page Personnel

A huge thank you to the Players of the People's Postcode Lottery for continuing to support our work with young people affected by homelessness. This incredible gift has been used to: - Keep young people safe in a crisis - Find them long-term accommodation - Give vital mental health support - Provide access to education, training and employment opportunities - Build life skills that create resilience Thanks to this continued support, every day we are able to help more young people leave homelessness behind for a brighter future. Watch this video to hear our service staff explain what we’ve achieved. 👇

Nightstop is truly a unique service. We asked Nightstop staff what the best thing is about our emergency accommodation service, which gets young people in crisis off the streets and into a trained and vetted volunteer host home. Here’s what they told us.

A huge thank you to our incredible corporate partners who have been visiting our services over the past few weeks, putting up Christmas decorations and helping to bring some festive cheer to young people experiencing homelessness. ️ We've been thrilled to welcome teams from Newcastle Building Society, NatWest Group, PMD Business Finance, and Taylor Wimpey plc to our services in Whitley Bay and Manchester. In London we welcomed Egis, Page Personnel, Alfa Financial Software, OSB Group, and French Connection. Together, they’ve helped decorate spaces, spread joy, and show young people that they are cared for during what can be a challenging time of year. Thank you for all your support this Christmas!