Increasing number of homeless young people in Cirencester

Cirencester Housing for Young People say those hit hardest are aged between 16 and 18, due to a rising number of family breakdowns and those leaving care aged 16.

The charity is currently the only provider of 24-hour supported accommodation for vulnerable homeless people between the ages of 16 and 25 in the area.

In the past year, one young person accommodated at the charity went to Cambridge University, with another going to Oxford University.

Food donations 'more important than you could imagine' are being made available to those affected thanks to donations from Tesco.

This is made possible because the charity is part of Tesco’s Community Food Connection, in partnership with FareShare.

Rebecca Cotton, corporate and community officer at Cirencester Housing for Young People, said: “Tesco’s food donations are more important than you could possibly imagine. We rely on them. Having a delivery of food really lifts the spirits of the young residents.

“Each evening and at the weekends we have activities run by the staff which are so often based around food, whether it be cooking and eating Sunday Lunch together, a weeknight supper, or coffee and biscuits and a chat.

“We use the food donated to teach the residents about budgeting and healthy eating. Having donations of food means a meal can be prepared in the evening, and those of our residents who work or are at college all day can come home to a meal. Cooking and eating together makes Cirencester Housing for Young People feel like a home.

“As a result, we are making a permanent difference to young people, so that they are not in and out of support.”

SHELTER, the homelessness charity, has highlighted the Cotswolds as one of the least affordable areas in the UK in which to live, due to the large gap between average earnings and housing costs.

Tesco’s Community Food Connection has donated surplus food to more than 7,000 charities and community groups.

The scheme pairs Tesco stores with charities and community groups by using a mobile app to alert them about available unsold surplus food items.

This food is then collected by charities and supplied to people in need, ensuring that no good food goes to waste.

Alec Brown, Tesco’s head of community, said: “We are proud to work with Cirencester Housing for Young People, whose dedication to the community is amazing.

"They have already helped so many people, and we are so pleased to be working with them to assist even more people in need.”

Cirencester Housing for Young People, which began in 1987, has accommodated more than 600 young homeless people.

Tesco is keen to hear from any charities that could benefit from this programme.

Interested groups can get in touch with their local store or visit

to register.