Youth Choices Week Event
College spotlights homeless issues for young people
As part of its Youth Choices Week activities, City of Westminster College hosted a presentation by Connexions about the issues surrounding homelessness. The 50-minute session was designed to present the options facing young people who are asked – or decide – to leave their family home.
Entitled ‘Mum’s kicked me out, what should I do?’, it was presented by Connexions Facilitator Mark Azavedo and incorporated testimonials from two City of Westminster College students who have been made homeless and are now living in St Louise Hostel. The session also included a discussion, role play and Q&A in order to explain both facts about homelessness and the choices available once young people find themselves in this situation.
City of Westminster College’s student intake includes young people from a wide variety of backgrounds – including some who are in a vulnerable position due to their lack of family support networks.
Connexions is an advice and information service that works closely with young people and helps them make career and life choices. Mark Azavedo outlined typical scenarios that happen to young people and gave practical tips and details of organisations that can help.
Feedback from the event was very positive, with many students commenting that it gave them useful insight into avoiding confrontation with their parents and practical steps to take if the worst should happen.