“Offering an Alternative to the Repeating Cycle of Homelessness”

You Matter is an accredited life skills programme for 16 – 35 year olds offered over a total of 14 weeks. The programme is split into two parts, Money & Housing, and Life & Future. Our primary aim is to provide you with the skills you will need to obtain and keep a tenancy. Along the way we will also cover many other essential life skills, giving you the means to better understand how to support yourself and those you care about most.

In weeks 1 and 14 you will meet 1-2-1 with your You Matter Coach to complete an Outcome Star: Home Star reading – this is so we can map where things are at for you both before and after the course to help us support your journey. Additionally this helps us create a personalised action plan for what you want to get from the programme and your next steps.

In weeks 2 – 13 you will have the opportunity to attend weekly You Matter sessions – these run for 2 hours and are delivered in a small group consisting of a maximum of 8 people. We make sure to make these sessions as safe and trauma informed as possible, whilst making sure to maintain an inclusive environment. The Money & Housing sessions include discussions around: Budgeting, Understanding financial terminology, Different types of bills, Cost of Credit, Rights and Responsibilities of a Tenant, and Fire Safety, whilst the Life & Future sessions focus on: Healthy Relationships, Sexual Health, Protecting Yourself and Others, Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms, E-Safety, CV’s, Personal statements, and Goal Setting. We invite speakers and experts from local supporting organisations to attend these sessions on a regular basis too. This provides a unique opportunity to meet the people who can support you within and beyond your time with us. Additionally, this is also a great time to ask questions relating to their specialisms and to find out more about the services they provide.

We believe that any barriers should not prevent anyone from engaging with You Matter. We will provide all the digital and non digital equipment needed to take part in the programme (for example laptop, wifi access, paper, pens). We also have an Accessibility Fund, which can be used to provide transport to sessions, childcare while you attend the programme, or to cater to other essential needs. Additionally, if your application is accepted, the course will be fully funded and be completely free to participate in.

Do get in touch if you would like more information or are considering applying. Applications are processed through a form on the ’Nominations‘ page of this website. A button taking you to here can be found below this text.

The delivery of this project relies heavily on unrestricted income and the receiving of public funds to provide these crucial services is essential. If you would like to commission sessions or make a donation then do contact us. More information can be found on the ’Support Us’ page.