Supporting Doncaster Housing for Young People

You many have noticed from our recent post here that our offices have been choosing a local charity to work with as our way of giving back. 

Our Doncaster branch has decided to partner with Doncaster Housing for Young People (DHYP) who provide a range of useful services that young people who are at risk of homelessness can access, giving them help and support along the way. DHYP was established in 1993 and since then, they have gone on to support thousands of young people, helping them overcome disadvantage so that they can achieve their own unique potential. We are very happy to get involved with this project and support young people in the area. 

What does DHYP do? 

Progressions Project 

DHYP can help vulnerable young people find somewhere to live, assist in setting up a tenancy, provide advice about budgeting and welfare benefits and also refer them to other agencies for support if needed. 

Supported Lodgings 

A ‘’stepping stone’’ to independent living, with the young person living with a host family in Doncaster. The young person has their own bedroom and shares bathroom and kitchen facilities with the family. Each young person is supported by both the Host and a DHYP Project Worker and has a tailored support plan with goals set by the young person themselves. 

Employment Skills 

The DHYP employment skills project supports young people who need support finding employment, apprenticeships, training programmes or volunteer opportunities. They can assist with writing CVs, completing applications and preparing for interviews, all of which help young people to gain workplace skills and develop their confidence. 

Wellbeing 

They can provide support for a range of issues and offer one-to-one counselling with an experienced Counsellor, group wellbeing sessions and informal sessions with DHYP Wellbeing Coaches. 

Floating Support 

Through their floating support service, they can help you to set up and maintain a tenancy with advice and support on a range of issues including life skills, living independently, budgeting, welfare benefits, advocacy and referrals to other agencies. 

Wellbeing Hub 

DHYP run a weekly Wellbeing Hub on a Thursday afternoon from their office on Chequer Road. They provide a safe space to meet with and chat to other young people and to participate in different activities each week such as quizzes and arts and crafts. 

Young Persons Forum 

The Young Persons’ Forum (YPF) provides the opportunity for young people to have their say on the services DHYP provides and also on the wider issues affecting young people in Doncaster. The YPF is chaired by a client of the organisation and is open to all clients and non-clients aged 16-25. 

How is Merryweathers getting involved? 

Drop Off Location 

Merryweathers will now be a drop off location for essential food and toiletry items. Our staff will be buying items regularly and adding it to the baskets and we are also accepting donations of dried and tinned food from the public and other businesses. DHYP can then give these to young people experiencing hardship - for example, someone waiting for a Universal Credit application to be assessed who has little or no money to buy food. 

If you would like to get involved, any of the following items would be greatly appreciated: 

  • UHT or powdered milk  

  • Long life fruit juice  

  • Cereals  

  • Pasta 

  • Pasta Sauces  

  • Rice 

  • Tinned tomatoes  

  • Tinned vegetables  

  • Tinned fruit  

  • Tinned sponge pudding  

  • Tinned meat / fish  

  • Tinned soup 

  • Tinned potatoes 

  • Tinned spaghetti   

  • Tea bags  

  • Baked beans  

  • Jam  

  • Instant Coffee  

  • Sugar 

  • Instant Mashed potato  

  • Biscuits  

  • Snack Bars  

  • Sanitary Towels / tampons  

  • Toilet rolls  

  • Toothpaste  

  • Toothbrushes  

  • Soap  

  • Deodorant  

Donations can be dropped off at 43 Bawtry Rd, Bessacarr, Doncaster DN4 5NJ. Our doors will be open Monday - Friday between 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 1pm.

Furniture Link 

Often people who are moving, selling a home, or letting out a property will have several unwanted furniture items, but they are unsure what to do with them. We can arrange for furniture to be donated to DHYP which will support a young local person with furnishing their first homes. Please speak with us if this is something you would like to discuss.  

Please note, we cannot accept furniture donations in the office. 

Fundraising 

We will be doing several fundraising events over the year to try and raise money for this important cause from coffee mornings to sponsored activities.