Roundabout joins national 165,000 Reasons campaign

South Yorkshire youth homelessness charity Roundabout is supporting a national campaign calling for action to end the crisis facing children and young people living in temporary accommodation.

Across the UK, it is estimated that more than 165,000 children now lack a stable home, facing overcrowding, repeated moves, disrupted education and poorer health outcomes.

The 165,000 Reasons campaign is bringing together charities like Roundabout, along with councils, businesses and people with lived experience to press for better conditions in temporary accommodation, faster routes into stable homes and lasting reform.

And two of the young people who have been supported by Roundabout, Ayat and Lana, were guest speakers at the recent Local Government Association’s annual conference in Bournemouth.

Working with the campaign and charity Save the Children, both shared their first hand experiences of living in temporary accommodation, bringing a vital personal perspective to discussions about housing and homelessness.

“Ayat and Lana brought something essential to the discussion at the LGA conference,” said said Roundabout Peer Education Co-ordinator Will Shaw.

“By sharing their experiences directly with council leaders, they helped make sure that the conversation was grounded in the lives of those affected.”

A 165,000 Reasons representative commented: “We are delighted to have Roundabout’s support.

“It’s experience of working alongside young people brings an invaluable perspective to the campaign.

“We are grateful to Ayat and Lana for sharing their experiences, and to Roundabout and Save the Children for working with us to bring those voices to council leaders.

“Listening must lead to action, with lived experience helping shape both immediate improvements and lasting change.”

Roundabout supports young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Sheffield and Rotherham.

Its involvement in the campaign brings together the charity’s frontline expertise and the voices of young people who understand the challenges of temporary accommodation.