A ‘HUGE’ donation to help end youth homelessness in Coventry has been made by Coventry Building Society and The Co-operative Bank.
The banks have donated £1million to youth homelessness charity St Basils to help it build genuinely affordable homes for young people who have faced homelessness.
The funds will support St Basil’s Live and Work Model, which combines high-quality, low-cost housing with employment support for 18-to-25-year-olds facing homelessness.
The initiative empowers young people by providing a secure home alongside career opportunities, helping to break the cycle of homelessness.
Jean Templeton, Chief Executive at St Basils, said: “Jobs and Homes are critical protective factors. This donation will make a huge contribution to extending the Youth Housing offer in Coventry to enable young people, without family support, to have access to genuinely affordable accommodation which enables them to live and work, and save for their future.
“Working with Coventry City Council and regional partners, our ambition is to complete the scheme by the end of 2025.
“We are hugely grateful to Coventry Building Society and The Co-operative Bank for their commitment and contribution to ensuring that a home and a job will be possible for all young people in Coventry.”
BBC Radio 1 presenter and Centrepoint ambassador Dean McCullough, who has experienced homelessness first hand, is supporting the donation announcement, lending his voice to raise awareness of the urgent need for such initiatives.
Speaking at the National Youth Homelessness Conference in Coventry, Dean said: “As someone who has experienced homelessness at a young age as well as later in life, I know how vital and life-changing a project like this can be.
“It’s fantastic to see that so many organisations are committed to tackling youth homelessness and ensuring more young people affected by it have access to the homes they deserve.”
The combined donation comes just weeks after The Co-operative Bank was taken over by Coventry Building Society.
Lucy Becque, Group Chief People Officer at Coventry Building Society, said: “Every young person deserves a safe place to call home and the chance to reach their full potential.
“By supporting St Basils, we are investing in practical, long-term solutions that empower young people to lead independent and fulfilling lives.”
