england Backs ‘not Coming Home’ Campaign

Players from England’s national football team, plus pundits and fans, all star in charity Centrepoint’s new campaign, #NotComingHome.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of homeless young people who are not ‘coming home’ this winter.

Among those backing the campaign are England footballers John Stones, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Beth Mead, as well as ex-players and pundits Sir Geoff Hurst and Micah Richards.

Centrepoint predicts that almost 30,000 young people aged 16 – 24 will face homelessness in England this Christmas. This equates to five people for every minute of football set to be played during the international football tournament this winter in Qatar.

Other famous faces taking part in the campaign include comedians Jack Whitehall and Asim Chaudhry, rugby legend and Strictly star Ugo Monye, TV personality Mark Wright, TV and radio presenter Lauren Layfield, Love Island star and sports influencer Josh Denzel, actor Jeremy Irvine, radio personalities Richie Anderson and Roman Kemp and gamer & YouTube sensation Elz the Witch.

Last year it was revealed that youth homelessness figures had reached a five year high because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this year figures are expected to climb even higher. Centrepoint has also reported an increase in calls to its Helpline in the last 12 months, driven by various factors including the soaring cost of living.

Seyi Obakin OBE, Centrepoint Chief Executive commented,“This cost-of-living crisis is pushing vulnerable young people closer to breaking point than ever before.

“Everyone should be able to keep a roof over their heads, pay their bills and put food on the table. That is becoming increasingly difficult for the country’s most vulnerable young people, some of whom have just £5 a week to live on after rent and bills. This comes at an enormous personal cost of skipped meals, poor mental health and isolation. 

“Around 30,000 young people could face homelessness this winter – but this is a conservative prediction, and it is likely that this number will be significantly higher. The government has taken some steps to support young people during this crisis, but it’s clear that they are still struggling. We need further action if we are to avoid more and more young people facing homelessness.”