By Amy Smith, Assistant Director of Prevention Services, Depaul UK
Sometimes, a single act of generosity sparks something truly transformative. For us at Depaul UK, that spark arrived over a decade ago with People’s Postcode Lottery. Their incredible £25 million in funding since 2013 hasn’t just been about numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s been about unlocking potential, building futures, and preventing devastation for thousands of young people facing homelessness. As someone who’s lived this journey from its early days, I can tell you – it’s been nothing short of a revolution.
A Foundation of Trust and Innovation
I remember launching Nightstop in Sheffield in 2016, powered by a substantial grant from People’s Postcode Lottery. It wasn’t just the money; it was the instant credibility that came with their name. In a new city, trying to build public trust, having People’s Postcode Lottery behind us was like a beacon. It was belief in our mission.
That belief blossomed. Their support allowed us to dream bigger, moving beyond individual crisis interventions to create holistic programmes like Reconnect and our Education Programme. From 2018 onwards, we weren’t just reacting to homelessness; we were actively preventing it. People’s Postcode Lottery’s extraordinary trust and flexibility empowered us. They didn’t micromanage; they gave us the freedom to innovate, try bold new ideas no one else was attempting, and scale what truly worked. This wasn’t just a grant; it was a partnership built on shared vision.
The Power of Prevention: Catching Them Before They Fall
This freedom has been a game-changer. It means we can step in before crisis point. Imagine preventing a child from ever knowing the terror of not having a safe place to sleep. That’s the power of this upstream investment. When young people come to us in crisis at 16 or 18, we’re putting out fires that have been smouldering for years. Prevention is about stopping those fires from ever igniting. It’s the right help, at the right time, catching them before they fall. Young people tell me their struggles rarely begin overnight; they build, slowly, painfully.
People’s Postcode Lottery understands what many others miss: you can’t always put a number on prevention. How do you quantify the family that stays together, the young person who never knows the trauma of homelessness? They see the profound, immeasurable value in this proactive approach. This long-term perspective helps us truly understand the complex tapestry of “family breakdown.” By understanding this, we can tailor our support, not just for one child, but for entire families, even for future generations. It’s about breaking cycles of vulnerability.
Stability for Lasting Change
This kind of national education and long-term strategic planning is something we’re incredibly proud of at Depaul UK. Consistently backed by People’s Postcode Lottery, this particular support provides a bedrock of stability – a ‘home base’ that’s allowed us to innovate, take calculated risks, and truly adapt to a world that never stands still. Through unpredictable storms like the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, this enduring partnership has been invaluable, enabling us to always pivot and respond to urgent needs.
For me, personally, this work is deeply meaningful. While immediate crisis intervention is vital, my passion lies in creating lasting change. My life philosophy revolves around opportunity. It’s simply not fair that circumstance should dictate a young person’s future. I was lucky to have people who guided me. Not every young person has that. With People’s Postcode Lottery’s support, we strive to be those guiding voices, offering every young person the chance to build a life of stability and hope.
Amplifying Young Voices
Their funding has also fundamentally shifted how we listen. Our client involvement team, backed by People’s Postcode Lottery, ensures young people’s voices are at the heart of everything we do. I’ll never forget hearing a young person describe how homelessness felt like a “taboo subject” in school, or another saying, “I didn’t know the word for what my situation was.” These powerful insights directly shaped our education programs, leading us to train professionals and even empower young people themselves to co-deliver sessions. Imagine the impact when a young person sees someone just like them, sharing their experience. This isn’t just consultation; it’s co-creation.
A Future Built on Trust
Looking ahead, the future is incredibly exciting. We have robust, proven models for prevention, thanks to this visionary partnership. As the conversation around homelessness shifts towards prevention nationally, Depaul UK is uniquely positioned to lead. We’re already exploring how our models can support other vulnerable groups – older individuals, those leaving prison. The ripple effect of People’s Postcode Lottery’s generosity is just beginning.
Their £25 million isn’t just about the flashy projects; it’s about the essential “nuts and bolts” – the unseen, vital infrastructure that allows our teams to perform miracles on the ground. It’s the quiet stability that frees us to innovate, be creative, and reach those who need us most. Without this holistic, unwavering support, the profound impact we’ve had on youth homelessness prevention simply wouldn’t be possible. People’s Postcode Lottery hasn’t just funded us; they’ve stood beside us, believed in us, and helped us build a foundation for a future where every young person has the chance to thrive.
