What we do

Futures provides accommodation, education and support to young people in Leeds

Barnardo's Futures recruits, trains, approves and supports volunteers to undertake a variety of roles with homeless young people and care-leavers.

We provide the following services:

• supported lodgings – run by volunteers who are able to offer medium to long term accommodation within their own homes, to young people leaving care, aged 16-18 years
• Nightstop – a network of volunteers provide emergency short-term (one-two nights) accommodation within their own homes, to homeless young people.  Nightstop contact volunteers work from home taking referrals and arranging beds
• volunteer befriending – volunteers with a few hours available each week are matched with young people, to befriend and offer support
• GYFT scheme (Give Your Free Time) – volunteers who can offer practical help to young people, such as decorating, DIY, completing forms, shopping etc.
• young people’s group – established to enable young people using the services to meet and support each other
• adoption supported lodgings - volunteers who are able to offer short breaks and long term accommodation within their own homes to adopted young people aged 15-19 years. Support is offered to maintain family relationships and a Connexions PA supports adopted young people aged 13-19 years

Futures also provides a sexual health service for boys and young men: a worker provides one to one and group work support on sexual health and relationships.

To get a more detailed insight into what we do, read our Annual Report 2007/2008.