Key Unlocking Futures and Progress Housing Group support World Homelessness Day and call for more support to help end homelessness for good.    

Ursula Patten, Managing Director of Key Unlocking Futures, the charity partner of Progress Housing Group, which provides services that supports people across Lancashire, talks about the charity's work to support people facing multiple issues. 

"A home is where people should feel safe, be themselves, be independent, flourish and grow. As a charity which supports young people who are experiencing homeless or families facing homelessness, we aim to give people the support they need when going through tough times to get back on their feet. From providing food parcels, drop-in sessions where young people can get a warm drink, shower and see a friendly face, counselling and therapy services for children and young people or conflict resolution and tenancy support services to keep families together, we try to catch people before they fall. 

"Since partnering with Progress Housing Group in 2014, we now provide even more community support services, from running a community hub and cafe to providing counselling services at homelessness schemes, offering employment and tenancy support services, to managing women's refuges for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Recognising the strength of our partnership we aim to continue this work to help people in Lancashire to build a brighter future. 

"Last year we supported over 6000 people. Next year, we will have been running for 30 years and, during that time, will have helped many thousands of people in crisis to make a positive step forward. 

"Whilst great strides have been made in helping to tackle homelessness, new government figures show that around 79,840 households faced homelessness in England between January and March 2023. These stark figures highlight what a major issue homelessness is. 

"World Homelessness Day aims to draw attention to those who experience homelessness and push homelessness further up the political agenda. At Key Unlocking Futures and Progress Housing Group, we want to help people recover, cope and thrive by supporting them to find a place they can belong and call home. We hope that by supporting World Homelessness Day, together we can help raise awareness of the increasing rise in homelessness and the need for more affordable housing.

Key Unlocking Futures also campaigns with Centrepoint to end youth homelessness by 2037. We believe everyone deserves a place to call home and the opportunity to have a bright future’’ 

Rob was 16 years old when Key Unlocking Futures started helping him. At the time, he was sleeping on a bench in a local park as his relationship with his mum had broken down. Key supported Rob by finding him a place to stay and a work placement opportunity. He has now moved into his home and works as an apprentice. You can read Rob's story and a selection of stories from people Key Unlocking Futures have helped here - https://www.keycharity.org.uk/real-stories/rob/  

This World Homelessness Day, let's work together to end homelessness for people like Rob.  Together, we can achieve more.