‘Broken relationships’ cause one-in-five Greater Manchester children to consider running away from home, claims a new study.
The Action for Children survey also uncovered that a third of youngsters surveyed believed their parents would be better off without them and half admit to spending the night away without informing their parents.
The study also suggests that 22% of kids run away after having an argument with their parents.
Operational Director of Children’s Services at Action for Children in Greater Manchester Helen McKee said: “Homelessness can happen to anyone’s child.
“Our research shows that children as young as eight think about running away – and almost one-in-ten in Greater Manchester go through with it. We want to help families repair broken relationships before the idea of running away becomes the reality of a night on the streets.”
More than 11% of children surveyed said they know another child who regularly sleeps away from home because of problems within their family.
Nationwide homelessness event Byte Night is supporting Action for Children services across the North West alongside the Trafford Time Out project, which supports young carers in the area.
The Manchester iteration will see hundreds of people bed down for the night outside MediaCityUK on October 3.
One of eight such events in the country, the event aims to raise vital funds to tackle youth homelessness.
The sleep out began 17 years ago when 30 IT workers slept out and raised £35,000.
Since then, Byte Night has grown to over 1,400 sleepers and is now the biggest UK charity event of its kind with donations topping £1million last year.
It is estimated that more than 80,000 young people a year experience homelessness in the UK – which leaves them vulnerable to violence, mental health problems and addiction.
Mrs McKee added: “Each year, the North West business and technology sectors spend a night exposed to the elements in aid of youth homelessness.
“This might not seem like much fun – but in the morning our sleepers can go home to a warm bed and full fridge. Sadly this isn’t the case for homeless young people – and that’s why we need people to support us by sleeping out on Byte Night.”
Image courtesy of Newtown Graffiti with thanks
