Young people services
RADICLE manages three residential schemes in two London Boroughs for homeless young mothers and their babies. We have been providing accommodation and support for young mothers since we were first established in 1995 and are one of the few London providers specialising in this client group.
The young women are referred to us by the Local Authority Housing and Social Services Teams because they are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This may be because; their parents do not accept the pregnancy and evict them; they have been living with a partner but the relationship breaks up; they are living in temporary or unsuitable accommodation with no room for a baby e.g. in a hostel or with friends; they have come out of prison, care or a rehabilitation centre.
Independent living
Residents usually move in when they are around six months pregnant and stay up to two years, until they find permanent housing. We provide them with a safe and stable environment at a critical time in their young lives. 60% of the mothers we supported in 2008 were aged under 21.
Each resident has her own room and door key. Our support staff work in the schemes Monday to Friday helping the young women to develop the parenting and domestic skills they need to live independently. We ensure they are aware of their entitlements and are accessing the health and community services they need. We also encourage them to get back into work or education.
Britain has one of the highest records of teenage pregnancies in Europe with approximately 90,000 teenagers becoming pregnant every year.
Registered Charity No.1051409 Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England & Wales No.3135106 Tel: 020 7247 2458 Fax: 020 7247 6921 e-mail: headoffice@radicle.org.uk