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YOUNG people leaving care in Scotland are being offered support to help prevent them from becoming homeless in the future.

Half of all youngsters who have been in care end up experiencing some form of homelessness.

Children's charity Barnardo's hopes its latest purpose-built housing development in Stirling, funded with the help of players of People's Postcode Lottery, will make a difference.

Known as 'Gap Homes', they offer young people the opportunity to live on their own for up to two years with on-site support and were developed in response to issues young people experienced leaving care at the ages of 16 and 17.

Elizabeth McShane, UK Head of Business, Barnardo's Gap Homes, said: "A lot of the issues young people experience are rooted in poor quality housing that means quite quickly young people can get into crisis and once in crisis, it is quite difficult for them to get out.

"We wanted to do something that offered young people exactly what they needed when they left care - that was a good quality house that was their own to live in, to learn in and on-site support.

"When we were developing Gap Homes, we spoke to lots of young people who were on the point of leaving care or had already left care to ask them what they wanted, what would make a difference to them. And the ideas and concepts in these houses are based on those ideas."

Barnardo's Scotland hopes the five purpose-built homes will help young people preparing to live independently.

Stirling is the second Gap Homes site in Scotland, following the opening of another development in Renfrewshire. There are also Gap Homes in Essex.

Postcode Lottery players have raised more than £14.8 million for Barnardo's since 2018, helping to build the new homes in Stirling and others across Britain.

Martin Crewe, the Director of Barnardo's Scotland, said: "It can be very difficult for young people leaving care to live alone for the first time, especially when it comes to running a home on a limited budget. Gap Homes create a safe and stable environment in which young people can thrive. What's more, they are built in established communities and have low running costs.

"At Barnardo's, we have a strong track record in supporting young people to develop the skills they need to succeed in reaching independence as adults. Offering purpose-built accommodation for care leavers, we will also provide practical and emotional support, for up to two years, for those who need it the most. We believe Gap Homes have the potential to transform the lives of care leavers across the country, giving them the fresh start they deserve."

Michelle Lee-Izu, Barnardo's Director of Development and Innovation, said: "We strongly believe that if you change a childhood, you change a life. The funding from players of People's Postcode Lottery is absolutely crucial to this service. By investing in these young people now, you are investing in their lives and their futures, and we want to say a huge thank you."

Take a look around the new Gap Homes development in the film below.

Making A Difference

People's Postcode Lottery players are helping deserving causes like Barnardo's make a difference every single day. Read more about the range of Charities our players support.

Related Links

• Barnardo's website
• People's Postcode Lottery and Barnardo's