On Thursday, 27 February, MP Andrew Cooper visited Depaul UK’s supported accommodation in Winsford to learn more about the challenges faced by young people leaving care in the area. The MP for Mid Cheshire met with Dan Dumoulin, Depaul UK’s Director of Development and External Affairs, the Service Manager (Keeley), as well as a young care leaver being supported.
The service, which aims to prepare young people to ‘live, work, earn, and learn’, provides vital support for young people who have been in the care system. They gain important life skills that will help them to live independently in the future, essential for a group who are far more at risk of homelessness than others their age.
Figures released in October 2024 by the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government (DCLG) showed that care leavers facing homelessness had risen by 54 percent in the last six years.
The visit provided an opportunity for the MP to see the work Depaul UK is doing in his constituency.
Following the visit, MP Andrew Cooper said: “It’s been brilliant to visit Depaul UK in Winsford today, right in the heart of my constituency. What’s happening here – in terms of getting young people ready to be independent, get accommodation of their own, teach them independent skills and get them into employment, is absolutely vital work. I hope we can see this rolled out in more places around the country because youth homelessness is a national scandal. It’s incumbent on this government to deal with it and organisations like Depaul UK are at the front line in helping solve that problem for us.”
A young person supported by the service also shared their experience: ‘A year ago, I didn’t think I’d be where I am now. Having my own place, feeling hopeful—it’s a massive change. Before coming here, I felt like I had no options. But the team at Depaul has really helped me get back on my feet and see a future for myself. They’ve supported me with finding a place to live and learning skills I never thought I’d need. It’s made a huge difference.’
Daniel Dumoulin, Director of Development and External Affairs at Depaul UK added:
“We were really pleased to welcome MP Andrew Cooper to our service and show him the real impact that Keeley and the fantastic team here have on young people’s lives. We hope this helps ensure that youth homelessness is firmly on the agenda and that more young people across the UK receive the support they deserve.”
Last week, an estimated 4,667 people were counted as homeless on England’s streets last autumn. That’s the third straight year that rough sleeping has surged across the country. *