87% of the young people we supported last year had experienced rough sleeping at some point before coming to akt.
akt helps extremely vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness. Over the past few years, we have seen a 112% increase in young people looking for support directly after the winter holiday period.
Most of the young people we help cite family abuse or rejection as the reason they are in need. When you live with an abusive or hostile family, this time of year can be particularly challenging. It can be much more difficult to spend time with friends or a support network.
This winter, please help us to reach the increasing numbers of young people who face homelessness due to homophobia, transphobia and abuse.
What your support could do
- A mobile phone top up so a young person has a lifeline – £20
- ID so a young person can open their own bank account – £40
- An emergency support pack – £37
- Gender affirming clothes for interviews/work – £50
- A stay in emergency accommodation – £192
- A Rainbow Starter Pack which includes a rental deposit, the first week’s shop, furniture and a moving van – £539
What your support means for someone like Asif
Asif* came to the UK from Pakistan on a student visa. He was living in his uncle’s house whilst studying. Whilst he was at university, he had the courage to come out, but his uncle reacted badly and asked him to leave the family home.
Without his family’s support, Asif was unable to pay his university tuition fees. He had to drop out and was in £8,000 of debt.
akt helped Asif into a house share and gave him access to specialist immigration advice. We also worked hard to negotiate with the university, who after several months, wrote off the debt.
akt supported Asif to be able to live independently. Now he has indefinite leave to remain in the UK and has a job in sales.
I have no words to explain how thankful I am to akt for the support I have received during all this time… akt has been shelter for me, I’ve been able to return at any time if I’ve needed support.Asif, akt service user
Please, donate and help a young person like Asif today.
*Asif’s name has been changed to protect his identity, but his story is real.