THE BIG ISSUE The Big Issue - 11 January 2016

DID WorldMags.net YOU SEE JOHN? Have a look at page 26. Did you see him? Or did you look past him and carry on with your life? Like many of the homeless young people who come to Centrepoint, John is no stranger to being ignored. When he was just four his father walked out and the attention he got from his mum was far from hugs and kisses. She showed him no affection and even his earliest memories were of her violence towards him. “When I was ﬁve, Mum kicked me hard in the stomach. She was always shouting and would become violent.” “I’d developed a nervous tick, but mum threatened to hurt me if I let anything show…It was too much to handle, too much commotion ”. them into college or a job, and basic life skills, such as how to budget and pay bills. So, when they’re ready to leave, they can live independently. Many people don’t give homeless people like John a second glance, but today you can be the person who chooses not to ignore them. Thanks to someone like you, John is now safe at Centrepoint. Sponsor a room at Centrepoint. Call 0800 138 4499 Visit centrepointroom.org.uk or return the form below At 15 John started sleeping down by the canal and in a derelict high rise flat. Lonely and terrified, he turned to drink, self-harming and even became suicidal. When he finally ended up in hospital, his mother’s response was to fly off on holiday. He’d never felt so rejected. Why become a Centrepoint Room Sponsor? people who come to Centrepoint have been through similar experiences. They find themselves homeless after being victims of neglect, violence, sexual abuse and family breakdown. • 89% of young people who come through Centrepoint go on to find education, employment or their own home Sponsor a While John’s story may sound shocking room – just to you, many of the homeless young 40p a day By giving just 40p a day (£12 a month) you can get a vulnerable homeless person off the streets right now. You’ll give them a room of their own and all the support they need to rebuild their life. • For just 40p a day, you could help a young person escape homelessness forever • You’ll receive a welcome pack and regular updates about the progress of young people you’re supporting • 86p of every pound we spend goes directly towards services for homeless young people They’ll receive counselling to deal with their problems, career advice to help Your regular gift will be used to assist young people in sponsored rooms and for the general purposes of Centrepoint – working with homeless and socially excluded young people. I wish to sponsor a room at £12 a month I wish to sponsor two rooms at £24 a month I wish to sponsor rooms at £ a month Please collect my payment on the 1st/15th of every month (please circle preferred date) Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit To The Manager: Originators Identification No. Name and full address of your Bank or Building Society: 6 5 9 1 0 7 Postcode Name(s) of Account Holder(s) Bank Sort Code: - - Account Number: Instructions to your Bank or Building Society: Please pay Centrepoint Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction, subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Centrepoint and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society. Signature(s) Will you sponsor a Centrepoint room and get a homeless young person off the streets for good? Full Name Address Postcode Telephone Email In accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act, Centrepoint will use your personal data to process your donation. By providing your telephone number and email address you agree that Centrepoint may contact you on occasion about your donations by telephone, SMS/or email. If you do not want to receive this information please write to Supporter Care, Central House, 25 Camperdown Street, London E1 8DZ. We will never sell or share your details with other organisations. Under the Government’s Gift Aid scheme, all donations made by UK tax payers are worth a quarter more. To make your gift go further, just tick the box and date I would like Centrepoint to reclaim the tax I have paid on all donations I have made in the four years prior to this year, and any donations I may make in the future. I am a UK taxpayer. I am paying at least as much in income and/or capital gains tax in a year as will be reclaimed by all charities to which I give in that tax year. Date Date Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account / / Please return this form to: Centrepoint Room Sponsorship Freepost ANG 2640, Colchester, CO2 8BR. Thank you Registered Charity No 292411 RAP1516B-13D WorldMags.net To protect the privacy of those we help, a model has been used for the photograph and the name has been changed. The story however is true and as told by a young person.

THE BIG ISSUE The Big Issue - 11 January 2016 | Page 47