02. Background Depaul UK has worked with homeless people for more than 30 years and supported over 65,000 beneficiaries. Depaul has a huge amount of experience, knowledge and understanding. Most of this is held in the hands of dedicated teams who work countless hours facing challenges and opportunities in a variety of Depaul Services and Programmes across the UK - from education programmes in schools and emergency accommodation through the Nightstop network, to providing housing and support as well as reach into prison services. The charity is passionate about the difference they make, particularly for young people. They work with some of the most disadvantaged people in the UK and specialise in working with young people and in communities where poverty and longterm unemployment have resulted in generations of social exclusion and high rates of homelessness. Depaul UK believes no young person should have to sleep in an unsafe place and, while they work to provide the accommodation that offers an immediate answer to homelessness, it is also a vital part of their work to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place. The charity is modern, pioneering, dynamic and driven, committed to improving itself as an organisation, adapting where it can to a changing social care context and putting young people at the heart of everything it does. The charity has pioneered, enabled and supported the development of programmes across the UK, with a passion and a drive 2 DEPAUL UK | Appointment Brief
to succeed and change lives. The results have led in recent years to a substantial growth in income (currently c£16m). With an ambitious and strategic Board and an increased focus on results and sustainability, the charity has worked hard to provide interventions and income generating activities. This has resulted in highly effective services and at the same time established a strong financial position. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, they are proud to have been able to keep the majority of their services open and safe while protecting their financial strength. This has been the result of the commitment, hard work and flexibility of staff, the generous support of funders and Depaul’s organisational agility which has enabled them to respond quickly to both the need and the opportunities in response arising from the pandemic.
