Page 33 - link magazine

See us on the net @ www.swindontink.com The Link Magazine • August 1998 33
Young, homeless and in Swindon Volunteers needed urgently
The Relate Centre in Swindon sees
One time West Swindon schoolgirl Candy Shepherd, 18, contacted The Link about being homeless. over 1,000 people each year and
We invited her to write about her experiences. many appointments take place in
the evening.
Being homeless is tough; not just tough, but hard, stressful and very, very upsetting. If you could just In order to provide this service
think how much stress young people of Swindon go through daily, statistics will horrify you.
volunteer receptionists are needed.
As a resident of Townsend So here I am. I can admit to vate myself, I found, was very dif- Relate cannot operate without them.
House, I can now tell you what being a strong willed character. I ficult and things went from bad to If you have two hours you can
being homeless is actually like. coped quite well, but it wasn't easy. worse. offer on a regular or variable
Townsend House was first I was on a full-time college course I didn't realize how much I de- evening, call Relate on 527664.
founded in 1873 when the first and my attendance dropped rap- pended on my mum. I went from
women's hostel was opened in idly. The stress of having to moti- being ayoung schoolgirl toagrown
London and eventually more hos- Candy Shepherd, centre, with fellow woman within months. I cooked, Rape support line open
tels were opened around the UK. resident Jane Smith, right and New washed, ironed and cleaned so I A free, confidential helpline serv-
Townsend House is owned by a College Youth Into Work tutorDanny could survive daily, and this was ice for women and men who have
homeless project named 'The Girls Hilary all done by my mother before. been sexually assaulted started
Friendly Society'. Most people don't realize how taking calls on 2 July.
Townsend House in Old Town lucky they are. Most youths and a Every year, hundreds of men
was opened in 1973 to give accom- majority of my friends who still and women are raped, suffering
modation to homeless women live at home are forever complain- physical and emotional pain, of-
aged 16 to 25. Provided at ing if their parents ask them to ten alone. Many are too fright-
Townsend House is 24 hour sup- hoover the lounge or do some ened or embarrassed to tell any-
port, advice on benefits and coun- washing up. one what has happened.
selling. I feel I have been very lucky in Talking to someone who under-
I've lived at Townsend House life, although I had an awful child- stands and is non-judgmental can
since 18 January 1998. I was in hood. I do think I was blessed, help enormously.
foster care in West Swindon and because I was privately fostered The Rape Support Helpline of-
attended Greendown School. Af- by a lovely family when I was 14 fers a service for all rape victims
ter leaving school I decided it was years old, who have all been such and adult survivors of childhood
time to move on. Like most teen- a strength and support through- abuse. Their extensively trained
agers I went through a rebellious out the years and for more years to volunteers can also talk to friends
stage, and both my foster mother come. and family who need information
and myself decided it would be a I can say being homeless is hard, about how to help someone.
good idea if I moved out. yet I am one of the lucky residents The Rape Support Helpline tel-
of Townsend House. All of us are ephone number is 541144, open:
How big is the problem in the same boat so we can support Sunday 2- 6pm, Tuesday & Thurs-
each other. day 7-lOpm.
Swindon's prosperous face masks a growing youth homelessness
problem; statistics show the situation to be comparable to that in
Bristol or Reading, writes Gina Dennis.
Numbers have been increasing A number of organisations are
steadily over the last few years. addressing these issues. New Col-
(AS
The main reasons for a young per- lege is piloting its 'Youth into f09,c
son becoming homeless seem to be Work' course with funding from
rooted in family breakdown, often the European Social Fund. Scheme
caused by financial pressures, and organiser Danny Hilary says they Focus on Corers and Self Help
tensions created by high expecta- 'hope to show young people alter-
tions and lifestyle images. natives.' Hostel Manager John (providers of respite care since 1980)
Homelessness hurts. As well as Garbutt says that their work is
the practical issues, it brings social about, 'presenting the options and Do you want to work
stigma - a hostel address can make allowing young people to make
it difficult to register with a doctor their own informed choice.' for an employer who:
or find a job. It may well form part Later in the year, the Swindon
of a repeating cycle of family expe- Foyer will be opening, offering a • :• will value you and your work
rience across the generations. As a new range of training opportuni-
result, many young homeless sim- ties linked to accommodation, aim- •. has an ongoing training programme
ply accept their lot and have diffi- ing, says Project Manager Caroline + pays a generous mileage allowance
culty finding the motivation to make Duffy, 'to send young people out
choices and look for a better way. completely independent.' + pays holiday pay and pension
Support for young people facing homelessness contribution after a qualifying period
Youth organisations around Swindon can offer advice and support to
youngsters experiencing difficulties at home. Can you offer us:
Faced with homelessness, the first port of call should be Swindon
Borough Council's Homelessness Department at Watt Tyler House. o experience in domiciliary care
They are in touch will all local hostels, have information about bed-sits
and can link people to Social Services and support organisations. 0 commitment and flexibility
Link Centre Youth Unit Druglink, 47 Victoria Road o a telephone and own transport
West Swindon. Tel: 877963 Swindon. Tel: 610163
Youth Information Swindon Hot Food: Broadgreen Breakfast 0 live in Swindon
do Plus Once Youth Centre Eu- Club Broadgreen Centre, Salis-
clid Street. Tel: 530672 bury Street (Off Manchester Road) If so, please telephone Sue Whitcher
Young & Gay Awareness Project (Breakfast 6.30 - 8.30 am) on Swindon 531133
do Plus One Youth Centre The Filling Station, by the market and ask for an application form
Tel: 694700 (Monday & Thursday, 7-9 pm)