At this time of year, when it's cold and dark outside, and Christmas is approaching, it's great to be indoors.
There's nothing to beat snuggling up in the warm, feeling cosy and secure. And around Christmas, most of us will be surrounded by people we love.
But many young people do not have a warm, safe and supportive home. They are sleeping rough. Many have escaped from abusive environments, with alcoholic or violent parents.
They are cold, hungry and lonely.
That's why Centrepoint – the charity that works for homeless young people – houses and supports more than 800 young people every day.
Almost a third of the young people who use Centrepoint's services say that they have slept rough at some point. Others are "hidden homeless", moving from place to place as they sleep on friends' floors, never sure when their welcome will run out.
Many of these young people have been in care. One in four of them is a refugee. Their lifestyles may mean that their physical and mental health is at risk, and one in 10 has mental health needs. At this time of year, many of them feel more lonely than ever.
Helping young people
There's plenty for Centrepoint to do. For instance, it offers accommodation where young people can stay for periods ranging from nine nights to two years. Some are for those with particular needs, like homeless young mothers.
It has help and advice to give to those who need emergency accommodation.
The organisation also helps young people to find a more long-term place to live, together with guidance on sorting out all the different aspects involved in moving into a permanent home. It helps them prepare for a secure future.
Centrepoint's help extends far beyond that, however. Homeless young people generally have many needs, from education to counselling, which have never been addressed before.
When a young person comes to Centrepoint their lives are often in a downward spiral, and they may have no idea where to turn. Their lives may have been difficult for many years, with the adults who were meant to care for them unable to do so.
With the help of Centrepoint, they can turn their lives around.
Christmas from Centrepoint
When it comes to choosing presents, it can be hard to find something special for people who already have all they need. So this Christmas, Centrepoint is offering you the chance to give something different. Something that could help a homeless young person.
You could give More than a Gift. These virtual gifts are items that a young homeless person really needs. For instance, you could buy a gift that could give a young person a meal (for £7), a bed for the night at £31, or even a deposit on a flat for £1,600. These gifts come with cards to present to the friend or relative in whose name they are being given. Just go to centrepointgifts.org.uk to buy a virtual gift for your friends and family this Christmas.
Another possibility is that you sponsor a room for a young homeless person. By giving 40p a day, or £12 a month, you can help ensure that a homeless young person has somewhere warm and secure to live, as well as other help to turn their lives around. Find out how to sponsor a Centrepoint room at centrepointroom.org.uk.
Of course, if you prefer, you can also make a straightforward donation by giving to Centrepoint's Home for Christmas campaign.
You can make a real difference to a young person's life and make not just their Christmas, but their future, brighter.
You can help show them that there is hope.
