Streetlife (charity)

Streetlife
Founded1995 (1995)
TypeNot-for-profit organisation
Location
Region served
North West England
ServicesNight shelter for homeless people, a youth centre for young people aged 16–25, wellbeing services
Chief executive
Jane Hugo
Staff11 (2014)
Volunteers35 (2014)
Websitewearestreetlife.org

Streetlife is a British registered charity based in Blackpool, United Kingdom, that supports young homeless people. The charity was founded in 1984 and their shelter opened in 1992.[1]

Their aim is to provide shelter and support to young homeless people across North West England aged 16–25.[2] Around 400 young people access Streetlife's services each year.[3]

Streetlife's CEO is Jane Hugo.[4] There are also 6 full-time and 5 part-time staff members, in addition to 35 volunteers working for the charity.[5] Volunteers come from countries such as Ghana, New Zealand, Spain and Germany to work for the charity. Streetlife receives support from The Amy Winehouse Foundation[6] and Children In Need. In 2010, the charity was presented with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.[7]

Due to austerity measures, in 2014 Streetlife received news that they would lose £100,000 in funding from Blackpool Council.[8]

Mission

The charity's mission is to support young homeless people in Blackpool.[9] It operates a night shelter,[10] which is open each night and located next to St Johns Church, Blackpool.[11] During the day, Streetlife operates a 'Base'[12] located on Buchanan Street. The Base offers support, advice, personal consultations on housing, finance, and help with finding gainful employment.[13]

Campaigns and projects

In 2013, Streetlife created the '£5 What can it buy?' campaign. The ongoing fundraiser highlights what £5 can buy for young homeless people.[14] The campaign encourages individuals and businesses to set up a direct debit of £5 a month to Streetlife to help support the overall operations of the charity.[15]

In 2014, Streetlife partnered with international media licensing company Amurco to launch 'StreetSound'. The project consisted of 8 weekly songwriting workshops to create a song with the young homeless people from Streetlife.[16] The song was released as part of a campaign to boost external funding for the charity[17] and receives donations though the JustGiving page.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Did you know - THE STREETLIFE TRUST". THE STREETLIFE TRUST.
  2. ↑ "Youth service".
  3. ↑ "Night shelter housing benefit decision".
  4. ↑ "Cash boost for under-threat resort shelter".
  5. ↑ "Homeless Link. Accommodation in England, Nottingham".
  6. ↑ "About - THE STREETLIFE TRUST". THE STREETLIFE TRUST.
  7. ↑ "Young Lancashire members' score hat-trick with her Majesty's prestigious award". Young Lancashire. Archived from the original on 2014-12-23.
  8. ↑ "Funding hopes are dashed". Blackpool Gazette. 2014-08-15. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19.
  9. ↑ "HRH Princess Anne visits Lattitude Global Volunteering volunteers and staff « Press Release « Lattitude Global Volunteering". Archived from the original on November 15, 2013.
  10. ↑ "The Shelter - Streetlife".
  11. ↑ Steve Howarth - The Master. "Get shelter - Blackpool Homeless".
  12. ↑ "Upcoming Events - THE STREETLIFE TRUST". THE STREETLIFE TRUST.
  13. ↑ "Centre Details".
  14. ↑ "Support Us - THE STREETLIFE TRUST". THE STREETLIFE TRUST.
  15. ↑ "Young homeless charity Streetlife desperate for donations as it faces closure". Archived from the original on December 23, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Streetsound: Streetlife Flex Their Creative Muscles Against Budget Cuts - altBlackpool". altBlackpool.
  17. ↑ "Blackpool homeless charity releases fundraising song". ITV News. 18 December 2014.
  18. ↑ "Streetlife Release Fundraising Song". The Streetlife Trust. 2014-12-20.