YASC housing programmes in Leicester

The housing services available from the YASC Support Centre fall into two main components. There is help for young people, and this is mostly in the form of placement into temporary accommodations such as hostels and the additional advice given to them. Additional YASC programmes are for anyone that is threatened with homelessness in the Leicestershire area.

Housing assistance from YASC

There are over 100 young people that use the temporary accommodations. The age limit will be under the age of 25. YASC will offer them a safe place to live. Some of them may even be provided their own one-bed studio flats on East Street. However the number of those units is limited and most people will need to move into a hostel or cluster type arrangement. Some of the flats at East Street will also be set up to accommodate the disabled.

When the accommodations at East Street are full, there are two other locations for young people. They include the Michael John Linnett House as well as Aylestone. In total, about 20 other young people can use these sites. There is also a free meal given to them as well as educational support.

The youth from the community will also be assigned a support worker. This will help the client understand why they are struggling, and then address that need. Whether it is Money Management or job skills development, the YASC social worker will create a plan with the client so they can get the help they need.

There are YASC workshops that address employment and education as well. The staff from the organisation will support the person on their path to gaining those news skills that are required in the challenging UK economy.

The drop in centre will provide assistance to anyone that is vulnerable or homeless. Whether it is information or more practical support, this is all provided to people from the community. It is all also offered with a free, hot meal that is served by YASC volunteers. The breakfast is served daily from 8am to 9 am.

Hygiene needs can be met by the drop in centre. This is only provided from 8am to 10am. The vulnerable can use the laundry on site for cleaning their clothes. There is also showers, toilets, and other washing facilities.

Additional YASC  services

Money Advice is offered by Leicester partners to young people and others that are struggling. This is from such partners as CAB for those that are moving into East Street housing or that are in universal Credit. The advice is critical to the person eventually moving into a permanent home. Sessions will cover paying down debts and saving income as well. The key worker can arrange this for the client. Find more information about free budgeting help when on Universal Credit.

Many families that are local to Leicester depend on YASC for free information. This will be provided from the key workers Monday to Friday from 10 am to 1pm at the drop in centre. A holistic approach is taking as part of this process.

The client will have a personal development plan created. This will focus the individual on moving forward. They will benefit from skills training. One key partner is No Second Night Out – Leicestershire Cares, and this is where to employment services are provided from.

The YASC runs an employment Support Project that does the following. Clients can benefit from writing CVs for a new job. There is also help in understanding the job market in Leicester or preparing for an interview.

When it comes to housing needs, this is also addressed from the YASC centre. The main services range from help in finding shelters or also long term accommodations. They even have information on locations that can accommodate people with a mental illness or disability.

YASC welfare advice will also help and assist with people with applying to any number of financial aid programmes or grants. Specialists have partnerships with Hinckley and Leicester agencies. Each will have their own application process, but in general there may be help for people without any other resources available to them.

Another key programme is the Medical and Health Care Services. YASC has partnerships with Gps, nurses, and others including the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and also Inclusion Healthcare. A mental health team is also located at the drop in centre.

Anyone that is struggling can try the YASC – Advice and Support Centre. The post is Dawn Centre, Conduit Street, Leicester, LE2 0JN, dial 0116 221 2787.