Drugs

Drug misuse is closely linked to social exclusion and young homeless people are particularly at risk of developing patterns of problematic substance misuse. There is a strong relationship between an increase in drug use and a worsening accommodation situation as young drug users often face high levels of exclusion from housing opportunities and services set up to assist them.

We provide a range of services to young homeless people, including preventative work to help young people combat the risk factors for drug misuse and services to meet the housing and support needs of active drug users. In 2002 we evaluated our direct provision to ensure that we were working effectively with young people, to minimise the harm caused by drugs and support them in addressing their drug taking patterns and behaviour. This involved an in depth consultation with young people and service providers to clearly establish the needs of young homeless drug users in relation to their access to housing, support and substance misuse services.

Click here to see Borderline, our health and social exclusion briefing paper that explores the findings of the consultation.

We will now be working to ensure that our knowledge and experience is used to influence the policies that impact upon this vulnerable group of young people.

For more information contact Dr Claire Baker, Senior Policy and Research Officer

Food Poverty

Diet and health are crucial issues for all young people as what we eat and how healthy we are, are linked to our life chances and opportunities. Many of the young people we work with at Centrepoint are unable to maintain a healthy lifestyle and so face difficulties in improving their lives.

In 2002 we decided to look more closely at the diets and eating patterns of our residents. We interviewed young people and staff across a range of our services, while ten young people completed seven-day food diaries, in order to develop a clearer understanding of the barriers to healthy eating among homeless young people and to identify the impact of food poverty upon health and wider experiences of social exclusion.

Click here to see Breadline, the health and social exclusion breifing paper that explores the findings of the research.

We are now working to ensure that all the young people in our projects receive a variety of good quality food to keep them as healthy and happy as possible.

For more information contact Dr Claire Baker, Senior Policy and Research Officer