Youth homelessness prevention partnership launches

Three leading providers of accommodation and services that support young people who have been homeless to rebuild their lives have formed a new partnership.

The Cardiff Young Persons Supported Accommodation Partnership consists of Taff Housing Association and Church Army and is led by The Salvation Army.

"This is a milestone moment in the provision of homelessness services and as a church and charity we are delighted to be working with all our partners in this new and innovative approach to supporting young people who experience homelessness” said Yvonne Connolly, Regional Manager of The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Support Unit for Wales the West of England.

“The Cardiff Young Persons Supported Accommodation Partnership understands that each young person has individual needs and the importance of positive role models alongside somewhere safe to ground and grow.  Every part of the partnership and delivery is underpinned by its unique, purpose-designed psychologically informed (PIE) framework that recognises and centralises the psychological and emotional needs of the young people we are supporting”, concluded Yvonne Connolly.

Commenting on the launch Taff Housing Association’s Chief Executive Helen White said:

“At Taff we work with people who have been made vulnerable by circumstance but who have the potential to thrive. We’re excited to be entering into this partnership with The Salvation Army and Church Army to provide services that will help young people become more independent and move on from the homelessness system. By taking a relationship approach to support we hope we can break the homelessness cycle now and for future generations”

Des Scott, Interim CEO of Church Army, said of the initiative:

“The partnership between Church Army, Taff Housing and The Salvation Army is able to provide a valuable range of services to make a real difference in the lives of young people when they need it most. This is a fantastic opportunity to build on services that existed before and provide a comprehensive co-ordinated delivery that addresses the needs of the young and vulnerable. Church Army have been addressing the needs of young people in Cardiff for many years and we are delighted that together we can make a bigger impact”

The Cardiff Young Persons Supported Housing Partnership is being officially launched by David Melding AM on Tuesday 25 February 2020 at noon in the Pierhead building in Cardiff Bay.

Commissioner Anthony Cotterill – The Salvation Army’s leader in its UK and Ireland Territory, will be special guest at the event.