TRENDY DESIGNS SENT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD BY YOUNG HOMELESS PEOPLE

‘Hip’ and ‘trendy’ youth information publications may not actually be ‘getting down with the kids’ after all and designers may have to rethink their priorities when it comes to attracting young people’s readership. This is one of the findings revealed in a report out this week.

Young homeless people from all over Scotland have revealed that they find ‘youth styled’ designs unhelpful and inappropriate when it comes to looking for essential information, such as advice on moving out or independent living. The quality they value most in leaflets and booklets is aptness of information closely followed by clear large fonts, uncomplicated page layout, logical chapter divisions and an absence of "patronising" cartoons. In short, all the things we feared would send young people straight to sleep.

These findings come as part of "Watch This Space – Young People’s Views on Writing and Designing an Effective Leaving Home Guide". This report, published by the Scottish Council for Single Homeless and the Scottish Youth Housing Network, forms part of the research for a brand new guide to housing and leaving home being developed. The aim of the guide is to give young people the information they need to make a successful transition to independent living.

In his foreword to the report Iain Gray MSP, Minister for Social Justice emphasises the importance of informed choice saying:

"We cannot expect young people to take control of their lives if they lack basic understanding of their position and rights".

Rosie Lewis, housing education project worker at SCSH says:

"It is fantastic to have the contribution of so many young people who have a personal understanding of the difference a good resource can make. We will take this finding as key to the design of the new guide to housing and leaving home and will be consulting with the same young people during its development to ensure that it is exactly what they need" .

Other findings include:

• Young people attach most value to information they receive from workers.
• Some young people felt they would benefit from housing and leaving home information as early as 12 years old.
• Local, 24 hour information drop-in points should be set up to assist young people with housing crises that occur out of office hours.

PHOTOCALL

A group of young homeless people will present the report to Iain Gray MSP, Minister

for Social Justice at 15.45 on Monday 25 th February 2002 at the Scottish Parliament Headquarters, George IV Bridge .

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Notes

Scottish Council for Single Homeless (SCSH) is the national membership body for organisations and individuals tackling homelessness.

The Scottish Youth Housing Network is a national membership body which exists to promote good practice in youth housing policy and practice.

The report, "Watch This Space – Young People’s Views on Writing and Designing an Effective Leaving Home Guide", is available from SCSH on 0131 226 4382.