At The Co-operative Bank, we believe that no young person in our society should be homeless or at risk of homelessness. That's why we've been working with Centrepoint, the UK's leading youth homelessness charity, since 2017. With your help, we've raised over £1 million so far to help with their mission to end youth homelessness.
There are many reasons why a young person could become homeless, such as family breakdown or issues with mental health. Tens of thousands of young people ask for help with homelessness every year.
Homelessness doesn't just involve people sleeping on the streets either. There are many more people who aren't as visible: the hidden homeless. The hidden homeless are sleeping on buses, sofa surfing with friends, or even worse, sleeping in the homes of strangers. Many are unable to live with family members, have no family, or are escaping abuse and violence and have little choice but to find shelter where they can.
The Co-operative Bank has a history of standing up for the causes and social issues that matter most to our customers. We believe that everyone has the right to a safe environment they can call home. Our partnership with Centrepoint is helping to house young people and to break the cycle of youth homelessness through access to learning and support with physical and mental health issues.
From sponsoring and supporting the Manchester Sleep Out in 2017 and 2018, through to product initiatives, customer donations and individual fundraising efforts, we’ve raised over £1 million* for Centrepoint.
For every eligible mortgage we provide to our customers, we give £5 to Centrepoint (Terms apply).
These donations go towards funding the Centrepoint Helpline, which provides specialist advice and guidance for young people across the UK who are homeless or worried about housing. In 2018 we were proud to provide the funding to allow Centrepoint to expand this service by adding a dedicated team in Manchester, after the charity recognised the need for a local service. This has allowed more young people who are facing homelessness in Greater Manchester and across the UK to receive the advice and support they need to access safe and stable housing.
We’re also helping to fund initiatives that provide practical help to homeless young people in the UK, such as access to mental health support.
We are incredibly grateful to our customers and colleagues who have helped Centrepoint to have such a huge impact on the lives of vulnerable young people across the UK:
We are also proud to have been the lead supporter of the 2018 Centrepoint Awards at Kensington Palace. Hosted by the Duke of Cambridge, these awards celebrated the achievements of seven amazing young people who’ve been affected by homelessness. By shining a light on their stories and achievements, we hope to elevate the vital work that Centrepoint does, and aid them in their mission to end youth homelessness in the UK.
Thanks to our customers and colleagues, Centrepoint have been able to grow their national Helpline, a free advice service for 16–25 year olds and anyone who's worried about a young person they know.
How the Helpline is making a differenceBeing homeless takes its toll on a young person, putting them at risk. Along with our customers and colleagues, we're helping Centrepoint give young people the support they need to look after their mental and physical health.
Centrepoint's ongoing support for young peopleCentrepoint's Manchester Helpline was opened by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and The Co-operative Bank in 2018. It had already helped over 830 young people by February 2019.
Centrepoint Helpline – a vital service for young peopleCentrepoint is a registered charity in England and Wales, No. 292411.
There’s more to homelessness than sleeping in the street.
Existing mortgage customer product switch applications received from 2nd May 2018 up to and including 31 December 2021 will be eligible for a £5 Centrepoint charity donation, on completion. Other transactions relating to existing mortgages including a further advance, porting of an existing mortgage or change of borrower, are not eligible for the donation at this time. The Bank makes a payment to Centrepoint quarterly, for eligible completions during the previous quarter.
The £5 donation will be made for each eligible mortgage sold through direct and intermediary channels i.e. it applies to the Bank’s Britannia and Platform branded mortgages. Britannia and Platform are trading names of The Co-operative Bank p.l.c. The Bank reserves the right to change or withdraw the donation arrangement at any time.
Centrepoint is a registered charity in England and Wales, No. 292411.
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