A2Dominion helps Oxfordshire's young people 'find their way'

A2Dominion, a not-for-profit housing provider, is launching a new scheme to help prevent young people in Oxfordshire from becoming homeless.

Staff from A2Dominion’s young persons’ service are looking for youth groups, schools and colleges to sign-up to their new specially-designed training course.

The course, piloted successfully in early June, will be rolled out from September and aims to reach out to as many young people as possible to raise awareness of the problem.

Homeless people living at A2Dominion’s Simon House hostel, in Paradise Street, Oxford, are to help run the sessions, and will talk about their experiences of becoming homeless and life without a roof over their heads.

Simon House resident Nigel Pollard, 20, said: "Before I started getting housing and support from A2Dominion I was in a bad way, taking drugs committing crimes and sleeping rough. Since moving-in to Simon House I feel like my life has turned a corner and that I have a future again. The staff at Simon House really know what they're doing, and have helped me to realise that I have lots of skills and have something positive to offer to society.

“I think that this homelessness awareness project is brilliant and that  if something like it had been available to me when I was at school then maybe I wouldn't have ended up homeless."

Pam Vasir, A2Dominion’s Director of Care & Support, said: “By raising awareness of homelessness, we hope to prevent as many young people as possible from Oxfordshire becoming homeless in the future. With some of our Simon House residents sharing their real life experiences, we believe our training will be very worthwhile.

"Homelessness prevention is a key area of our work, so we will also be looking to support any individuals identified as being at risk.”

Mrs Vasir added: “Most people who come into Simon House would never have imagined they would end up with nowhere to live, but a change in an individual’s circumstances, for instance, a relationship breakdown or losing a job, can have disastrous results.

“Once someone gets into the cycle of homelessness they can be exposed to all sorts of risks such as drugs and crime. It’s a highly risky life situation and that’s why we’re committed to tackling homelessness through this prevention awareness programme, which we are aiming mainly at 14 to 20-year-olds.”

As well as the screening of a cutting-edge film exploring the experiences of homeless people in Oxfordshire, those taking part in the training will be encouraged to talk about homelessness stereotypes and take part in ‘value exercises’ to rate in order of importance various items in their life, from having shelter  owning hair straighteners and computer games.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the training is asked to contact Reza Khayati on 01865 260524 or Jeremy Hill on 01865 260501.