Homeless prevention services are joining together to work on a new scheme to help prevent homelessness in young people across Greater Manchester.

Gateway are a provider of various homelessness prevention services across the North West and are part of The Calico Group and they have been commissioned to work on a homelessness prevention scheme for young people.

The scheme will be known as The Young Person's Homeless Prevention Pathfinder commissioned by The Greater Manchester Combined Authority and delivered by a newly established partnership Greater Manchester Better Outcomes Partnership (GMBOP).

It is set to run for an initial three years and will work with young people to prevent homelessness for those with imminent and long-term risks.

Gateway is experienced in providing support and training to homeless and vulnerable people who are ready to make positive changes.

They will be supporting the project by employing a team of progression coaches who will use personalised plans to help young people identify their individual goals and values.

Along with ensuring the young people are in stable accommodation, the team will also assist young people in reaching their goals in accommodation, financial stability, meaningful activities, and support networks.

It also aims to improve individuals’ confidence and resilience whilst supporting them to sustain an existing tenancy or move into new accommodation.

Gateway will work with 18 to 35-year-olds in the North West with a particular emphasis on under 25s across Stockport, Bury, Trafford and Tameside.

Other partners include homeless charities Depaul, The Brick and Early Break who will work across the other six Greater Manchester Boroughs.

Through this close collaboration with Local Authority Housing Teams, and establishing referral pathways directly with community organisations, they will ensure that the service is reaching young people at the earliest stage possible, where there is a genuine chance of preventing homelessness.

Homelessness and prevention services lead at Gateway, Kate Cunliffe, said: “We are extremely proud to be part of this exciting project as an extension of the work we do across the North West to reduce homelessness.

“Finding and listening to people at the early stages of issues starting to escalate is where you can really help someone to find the right path and prevent them from hitting crisis which can be so damaging.”

GMBOP programme manager Rachel O’Connor said: “This project is all about trying to assist young people before their situation becomes worse and they find themselves on the street or without accommodation. Our coaches walk alongside young people and help them navigate some of the systemic barriers they may encounter.”