Lifehack Project participants, and project staff (Richard McRory and Cait Ramsey) pictured with Councillor Gary Donnelly during their sleep out in aid of Homelessness Awareness, at Rath Mor on June 4.
On June 4 2025 young people from the Lifehack project took part in our annual #DayOn, a day of social action.
Creggan Enterprises’ Lifehack Journeys project aims to support young people (16-24) to build and develop life skills that promote citizenship, foster good relations, build confidence and resilience and become more employable. This four-year project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and is based in the Ráth Mór Centre in Derry.
This year’s #DayOn theme was ‘giving back to the community’ and through discussions with young people one prevalent issue that emerged again and again was that of ‘hidden homelessness’. We discovered that many young people do not have consistent accommodation, many stay in temporary B and B’s, sofa surf or rely on supported living.
Through our discussions with young people, it was agreed that we would use our #DayOn to begin to raise awareness around Hidden Homelessness. This began with a clean-up in the Rath Mor Community Garden followed by a ‘stay awake’ where young people will stay out overnight in the community garden. The young people will also attend an educational visit to the People’s Kitchen in Belfast to learn about how charities respond to this increasing level of need.
Damian McNairney from the People’s Kitchen said that, “while rough sleeping might be seen by some, as at the opposite end of 'Hidden Homelessness', many of the factors and impacts are the same. The physical, mental, and emotional impact of not having a place to call your own and wondering where you are going to lay your head that night are totally debilitating.”
Lifehack provides support to young people from across the city and district, many of whom have experienced homelessness in their young lives. This often goes unnoticed as they are sleeping at the home of different friends or family members from night to night. Sadly, it means that they have no fixed abode and this can affect many other aspects of their lives including employment opportunities, healthcare and education.
This lack of a consistent accommodation and place to call home can increase the level of risk for young people becoming involved in substance use, criminality and presents an ongoing risk to their personal safety. Young people who are homeless can often go under the radar, which can lead to higher levels of vulnerability. Participants on the Lifehack Project will use their voices through our #DayOn events to highlight this issue and how it can have a profound impact on a young person’s life.
One young person commented that he often has to “sofa surf between friends, families and even just a party house.” This clearly impacts on consistency in his life and future opportunities. Richie McRory project coordinator commented: “This year’s #DayOn will provide young people with the opportunity to give back to their community through the garden clean up, but more importantly it will help shine a light on the issue of homelessness and associated problems facing so many young people in our society.
"Around 80% of Lifehack participants have experienced homelessness at some point in their young lives this is simply unacceptable and needs to be addressed. Young people this year will help to highlight this concern. We will continue to work alongside other organisations to help address the issue and nurture existing relationships with statutory and community organisations.”
Terry Green manager at First Housing’s Jefferson Court said that “It is amazing to see young people expressing their concerns around hidden homelessness and giving their time freely to help raise awareness around this issue. The homeless sector is being stretched more and more so it is vital to have other groups like Lifehack providing support for young people to address some of the issues associated with homelessness like employability, substance use, capacity building and personal development.”
For many years, Lifehack have worked closely with a variety of statutory and community / voluntary agencies. We have offered supplementary support to young people who are experiencing issues with their mental health, unemployment, criminality, poverty and homelessness.
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We have developed strong and consistent referral pathways for organisations and individuals to gain access to prompt support as well as additional opportunities. Lifehack tailors its intervention to meet the hopes and needs of each of its participants. Through the tailored project young people have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities, accredited training and personal development workshops as well as access to bespoke 1-1 support from staff.
If you would like further information about the Lifehack Journeys Programme or to get involved contact us on 02871277488, FB @lifehackprojectderry or on X #LifeHackCE
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