Nightsafe’s has received funding from Children in Need since 2014 to deliver LEAP (Life skills, Education and Achievements Project).
LEAP provides additional support for young people aged 16-24 accessing Nightsafe services and experiencing crisis. The project aims to increase life-skills and education work within this age range throughout Nightsafe’s 5 projects (Night Shelter, Platform 5, Safe@Silas, Witton, Cornfield Cliffe and The Gatehouse)
Young people who are referred into our emergency Night Shelter are supported on a 1:1 basis during this highly distressing time. All young people receive a LEAP Assessment and an action plan is drawn up. Close links with education providers have been established and this enables the best support for young people to maintain their education whilst homeless.
Safeguarding is the highest priority and LEAP works closely with Children’s Services to make sure the right support is offered to a young person during this highly traumatic time.
LEAP also offers support around making housing referrals and opening a claim for Universal Credit. Young people are supported with ‘starter packs’ when they move on, typically these consist of essential items to help them sustain their education such as pan sets, cutlery, crockery and basic cleaning products.
The LEAP Project encourages young people to maintain their friendship networks and where appropriate relationships with family members.
A wide range of workshops is delivered to enable young people to develop their confidence, self-esteem and independent living skills. Young people are encouraged to access existing sessions at Nightsafe’s drop-in centre and workshops are delivered in our housing projects.
Young continue to shape the delivery of workshops through participation and feedback. Examples of workshops include cook and eat sessions, budgeting, CV writing, football, gym, and Duke of Edinburgh. Accredited training (Lifewise) is delivered in small groups or 1:1.
All young people referred into the LEAP Project receive a learning plan to help them achieve their goals.