Not Everyone Goes Home for Christmas says Bristol-based homeless charity 1625
Bristol-based young people homeless charity 1625 Independent People launch their winter 2025 campaign ‘Not Everyone Goes Home for Christmas'(Image: 1625 Independent People)
A Bristol-based charity which aims to help young people under the age of 25 who find themselves homeless has launched a new campaign to raise much-needed funds before Christmas, after a steep rise in the number of young people needing their help.
The charity 1625 Independent People has emergency and temporary accommodation across Bristol and South Gloucestershire and said that in 2025 it helped almost 2,000 young people in immediate housing crisis.
The new campaign for this Christmas and New Year is called ‘Not Everyone Goes Home for Christmas’, and is aiming to raise money from the people of Bristol who are in secure housing. The hard-hitting campaign shines a light on what the charity said is the ‘harsh reality that not all young people have a safe place to go during the festive season’. They said they need the donations to keep vital services running.
“For many of us, Christmas is a time to return home to loved ones,” said Kim James-Coggins, from 1625. “For hundreds of thousands of young people, this simply isn’t an option.
“Rising living costs and the ongoing housing crisis – especially in Bristol – mean more young people are at risk than ever. Donations are essential to help us provide safe spaces and support during the cold winter months,” she added.
This year has seen more than 1,900 young people needing 1625’s help, as figures show homelessness more generally has climbed 25 per cent since the Covid pandemic. Back then, the then Conservative Government reacted to the pandemic by providing funds for councils to adopt an ‘everyone in’ policy which saw anyone rough sleeping housed in hotels to help protect them from the Covid pandemic.
When the pandemic was over, that support stopped, and young people especially found themselves unable to afford Bristol’s spiralling rents, particularly if they have come from care, or unstable family accommodation situations.
READ MORE: Bristol records highest homeless rate in South West
Earlier this week, Bristol Live revealed that the charity Shelter’s new figures that show the rate of homelessness in Bristol was the highest in the south west, with 4,390 people in the city experiencing homelessness.
“I think people need to look out for young people who are homeless more – especially around Christmas, because it’s cold. Really cold,” said one young person who is being supported by 1625.
“Some people are sleeping outside shops with nothing but a tiny blanket. If you go back to the real meaning of Christmas, it’s about looking out for others. That’s what matters, and I think a lot of us have forgotten that,” they added.
St George’s House in Bristol city centre, one of several centres for young people in housing need run by 1625 Independent People(Image: 1625 Independent People)
A spokesperson for 1625 said the charity relies on donations from the public to keep going. “Donations help fund a wide range of essentials and opportunities for young people,” they said. “They can cover practical needs like travel to college, a warm meal or festive treat, or a creative gift for someone spending the holidays away from family.
“Contributions also support confidence building through things like haircuts for job interviews or new clothing for those who might not otherwise receive a present. They help create positive experiences through activities with youth workers, and can go towards therapy, wellbeing sessions and home essentials that keep young people safe.
“Larger donations even support education by covering academic resources or contributing to a month of learning at the charity’s Youth Education Services,” they added.