No Limits, a Southampton-based charity supporting young people across Hampshire, has been nominated three times for the 2023 Children and Young People Now Awards – the gold standard for work with children, young people and families. The awards cover 24 categories and are the highest recognition for organisations across the country that support young people on a day-to-day basis.
The Preventing Homelessness Project, which supports young people in Southampton at risk of homelessness, or who are homeless, has been nominated for The Advice and Guidance Award. The project has helped 4,380 young people during the last five years with securing safe accommodation, understanding their rights and choices available, training, employment support and financial advice.
No Limits’ Advice Centre has been nominated for the same award. The Advice Centre in central Southampton operates a drop-in service for young people aged 25 and under, providing information, guidance and support, free of charge and without the need for an appointment. Youth workers are trained to support many issues including debt, employment support, youth offending, substance use, mental health and abuse. In the last year, over 1,600 young people have accessed support through the Advice Centre.
No Limits’ safeguarding approach has been nominated for The Safeguarding Award. Post-pandemic, safeguarding concerns for young people accessing support have increased by 192%, with emotional wellbeing concerns spiking in particular. Youth workers work with the young person, their family, school and other agencies to ensure their safety in differentsettings. The charity has been supporting many of the most vulnerable young people in the area for 30 years, so youth workers are highly experienced and skilled atidentifying safeguarding concerns.
Last year, No Limits took home the Children and Young People Now Mental Health and Wellbeing award, for their mental health support model, whilst services for young parents and young offenders were also shortlisted and recognised.
This year’s award winners will be announced on Thursday 23rd November.
Natalie Webb, No Limits CEO, said “The Children and Young People Now Awards are the most prestigious awards for our sector. To receive three shortlisted nominations from a large, national pool of organisations for the second year running is a huge testament to the work our staff and volunteers put in. Everyone here cares deeply about each young person that we support. We work tirelessly to meet their advice and support needs, and keep them safe. These shortlisted nominations reflect how much passion our team have for their hard and hugely rewarding work.”
