Prince William mans the phones to launch Centrepoint's first ever Young and Homeless Helpline

Matt Watts13 February 2017

Prince William today launched the Centrepoint Helpline as it was hailed a “major step” towards ending youth homelessness.

He joined Evening Standard proprietor Evgeny Lebedev at the service’s central London HQ, listening in to one of the first calls and chatting to staff and volunteers.

The helpline - the first national Freephone service for 16 to 25-year-olds facing homelessness - is a reality thanks to Evening Standard readers.

Our Young and Homeless Helpline appeal, run alongside The Independent and the i newspaper, has raised £3.25 million to fund the service.

Homeless appeal: The Prince helped launch the phoneline with Evgeny Lebedev
Jeremy Selwyn

As Prince William arrived, he was greeted by Mr Lebedev, who told him the appeal had reached £3.25million.

The Prince said he was “very pleased” and called it “a very successful campaign”.

During the training session, the Prince went through a practice call with Centrepoint staff member Samia Meah, where she pretended to be a young person at risk of eviction for rent arrears.

He joked to miss Meah after the call “You didn’t hang up on me. That’s a good start”.

The Prince and Mr Lebedev then listened into a 20 minute call taken by Carys Lewis, one of the Centrepoint Helpline advisors, from one of the first callers to the helpline.

The teenager had been sleeping rough in London and spending the night in all night cafes after leaving home following the breakdown in his relationship with his parents.

Training: Prince William listened in on a call from a young homeless person
Kensington Palace

He said had sought help for his homelessness from his local authority but to no avail so far.

After listening to his situation, Ms Lewis texted him details of how to get into a Winter night shelter to get off the streets short term and also suggested a day centre for young people where he would be able to get more long-term help with housing, getting into work and benefits.

The Prince was clearly moved by the young person’s plight, and said the way the call was handled was “really good”.

Young and homeless: The boy who called in had been living on the streets
Kensington Palace

He said: “If nothing else, you take the time to listen to them, to tell them their options.” Prince William also asked to be kept informed about the teenager’s journey to hopefully be helped out of homelessness.

Mr Lebedev said: “I’m delighted to have launched the helpline with the Duke of Cambridge today. It was his call to arms in November that spurred us on to launch the campaign.

“Youth homelessness is an unacceptable blight in modern Britain. The helpline will save lives and rescue countless more from vulnerable and perilous situations.

Launch: The Duke of Cambridge arriving at The Mix in London to launch the Centrepoint Helpline
PA

“None of it would have been possible without the hard work of hundreds of people behind the scenes - Centrepoint, Standard staff, as well as the thousands of readers who have given so generously - so I’d like to thank them.”

Calling for action in November, William wrote a letter to Standard readers saying: “When a young person’s life falls apart they have nowhere to go.

Young and homeless: The helpline will help countless young people who are facing homelessness
Alex Lentati/ Jeremy Selwyn

"This is why we are launching the Centrepoint Helpline. [It] will provide the information and support young people need before they become homeless.

“Over the past decade I have met hundreds of courageous and inspiring young people trying to escape homelessness. Unfortunately their courage alone is not enough.”

The prince has thanked readers for their “incredible” support during the appeal.

Fun and games: The Prince played a post-it note game with residents during a hostel visit
Getty Images

At the launch today he met staff from Centrepoint and from The Mix, the partner charity that will help deliver the helpline.

After being welcomed by Centrepoint chief executive Seyi Obakin, he and Mr Lebedev took part in a training session then sat in on the first calls.

Prime Minister Theresa May, who gave her backing to the appeal in December said: "The launch is a big step forward in the fight against the scourge of homelessness.

"It’s the culmination of months of campaigning, fundraising and generosity on the part of so many people, including the readers of the Independent, The i, and Evening Standard.

"There can be no acceptance of rough sleeping in modern Britain – that’s why we are taking action to tackle the causes of homelessness through our £50 million trailblazers fund, and investing in services that take people off the street.

"With government action and support from people across society, this helpline can make a real difference to those people teetering on the brink of rough sleeping."

It is hoped the service will become the first stop for young people who are facing homelessness or already living on the streets.

It aims to end the current postcode lottery of advice - currently, at least 30,000 of more than 150,000 young people who each year ask for help with homelessness from local authorities are believed to be turned away with no support.

As well as providing housing support, experts will advise on issues that often lie behind homelessness such as mental health problems or family breakdown.

Homeless charity: Centrepoint CEO Seyi Obakin at a sleepout event with Sadie Frost (NIGEL HOWARD)
NIGEL HOWARD ©

Staff will plug into a nationwide network of contacts, ensuring people can be directed towards local help.

Mr Obakin said: “Today, with the launch of the helpline, we take a major step towards realising our ambitious goal to end youth homelessness.

“In many towns and cities youth homelessness is reaching crisis point.

"Our research shows that for each young person sleeping on the streets, dozens more spend night after night on sofas of extended family and friends and, in some cases, in the beds of strangers.

“Some of these young people will have fled constant family arguments or violent partners, others will have exhausted the generosity of friends and find they have nowhere else to turn.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. Intervening early and decisively can change a young person’s future.

Labour leader: Jeremy Corbyn hailed the incredible response of readers
JEREMY SELWYN

“That is what we now aim to do with the helpline.”

Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn hailed the inspiring response the helpline appeal has had, saying: “One in three young people seeking specialist help are being turned away by councils because of a lack of resources.

“That's why this helpline, reform to 'intentionally homeless' rules and proper funding for local government is so badly needed.

“I’m pleased that readers have donated in such numbers – and I think the incredible response to this appeal shows people’s determination to make sure that homelessness has no place in a 21st century Britain."

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron added: “Thanks to the generosity of those who’ve supported this appeal, many lives will be changed for the better.

"This helpline will be crucial for those who have been let down time and time again.”

And London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “The overwhelming response to [this] fundraising appeal is a tribute to how concerned people are about this problem.

"Centrepoint‘s new helpline will be a lifeline to many vulnerable young people.”

Kumba Kpakima, 18, who became homeless when her life fell apart after the death of her mother when she was 15, said: “I think the campaign has been great.

Homeless appeal: Mayor Sadiq Khan praised Londoners
PA

"More people are aware of how [homelessness] can affect anyone. It’s not drug addicts, it’s bad things that happen to people which are out of their control.

"It is something that a lot of people go through and it doesn’t have to be the breaking point in their lives. It has changed people’s attitudes.

“I’m pleased the helpline is here. It will be a lifeline for people in a state of emergency who need help immediately, and people who just need someone to talk to and some advice.

The aspiring journalist, who has met Prince William and did a week’s work experience with the Standard during the appeal, said the experiences had “given me more confidence”

“It’s good to know there are people out there who want to give opportunities to young people like me, they want to support us and see us do well,” she said.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported the appeal.”

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