A local youth homeless charity has worked hard to ensure that Sheffield and Rotherham are the first cities to eradicate rough-sleeping amongst under 25s this Christmas.

South Yorkshire housing charity, Roundabout, offers “wraparound support” for 16 to 25-year-olds who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The charity “supports 400 people every single day,” including young people in care and supported accommodation.

Fundraising manager at Roundabout, Emily Jones, exclusively revealed: “We are the only city in the UK to be able to say that no under 25 is sleeping rough because of our prevention and rapid rehousing team.”

1-7 December marks Homelessness Awareness Week 2025 and aims to highlight the plight of homelessness, educate the public and challenge negative stereotypes as the festive period commences.

While Christmas can be a difficult time for those without a home, Roundabout hopes to make it special for members of the charity and beyond.

The charity pulls together festivities for around 1,000 people and makes sure those with children get a visit from Santa.

Every young person will receive a Christmas card, present, a gift card and those in residential services will also get to enjoy a roast dinner with crackers and all the trimmings, alongside a variety of special events.

Ms Jones said: “What we do see with young people is that they are really tough and they are so determined to turn their life around.”

While this milestone has been reached in Sheffield, today the government vowed to make childcare more accessible for families on Universal Credit and to stop children growing up in B&Bs as part of their child poverty strategy.

Yet, at Roundabout they believe “these young people have been let down by so many adults and services in their lives, the point is to rebuild trust and show them that they have a future and that people believe in them.”

Photograph courtesy of: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images