We're helping homeless young people

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.

Youth homelessness is more than a housing problem

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.

What are we doing to help?

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.

Mortgages that make a difference

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:

• Centrepoint’s Helpline supported 4,404 young people facing homelessness in 2018.
• 1 in 5 calls to the Centrepoint Helpline are from the Greater Manchester area. Support from The Co-operative Bank has allowed Centrepoint to open a Manchester arm of the Helpline, which has already helped over 830 young people.
• Over 100 young people in Manchester received 1-2-1 support with mental health and substance misuse issues so far thanks to our partnership with Centrepoint.
• Centrepoint has delivered over 40 group sessions in Manchester so far to encourage young people to open up about their mental health and address issues in innovative ways such as through graffiti art sessions.

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.