This month, I attended the Centrepoint Youth Homelessness Conference alongside several LandAid colleagues. It was a day filled with insight, discussion, and challenge, with one theme running through every session—prevention.
One thing was clear throughout the day: preventing youth homelessness isn’t something that can be tackled in isolation. It takes collaboration. The private sector, charities, and government—local and national—must work together. Most importantly, young people with lived experience need to be at the centre of the conversation, shaping the solutions that will directly impact them.
From breakout sessions led by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to inspiring stories from those who have experienced homelessness, the message was reinforced time and again. We can only make real change by working together.
One of the most powerful moments of the day was hearing from young people who have faced homelessness first-hand. Internationally acclaimed artist and homelessness ambassador Robi Walters shared his experiences, showing how creativity can provide a platform for change. Later, a panel of young people took to the stage, hosted by BBC Radio 1 presenter and Centrepoint Prevention Ambassador Dean McCullough—himself someone with lived experience of homelessness. Their stories were a stark reminder of the real impact of the work we do.
The breakout sessions provided further insight, with topics ranging from the role of schools in identifying young people at risk, to Housing First approaches for preventing repeat homelessness. It was also an opportunity for us at LandAid to connect with charity partners, exploring ways we can work together more effectively. The workshop led by MHCLG particularly highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors.
The key takeaway from the conference was simple: the more we work together, the greater the impact we can have. No single organisation, sector, or government department can solve youth homelessness alone. Partnership is essential. And at the heart of everything, the voices of young people must lead the way.
LandAid was proud to be part of these discussions. Our role in the sector is clear—to bring together the property industry and the youth homelessness sector, using our networks and expertise to drive forward real, tangible change. Events like this reinforce why that matters.
We left the conference energised, inspired, and even more determined to keep pushing for solutions. The challenge is great, but so is the potential for change. And together, we can make it happen.