Swindon Foyer, the supported housing project in Old Town, served as the venue for a question-and-answer session between homeless young people and three prospective parliamentary candidates in the South Swindon constituency.
The Bath Road building, operated by major UK social housing provider Stonewater, provides accommodation, training and support to disadvantaged and homeless young people between the ages of 16-25.
The event gave Conservative candidate Robert Buckland, Labour hopeful Anne Snelgrove and Talis Kimberley-Fairbourn of the Green Party the chance to talk about their policies affecting young people.
Their presentations were followed by questions from young people which ranged from the provision of local mental health services, what each party would do for homeless people and how they would help combat discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups and people who ‘looked different’.
One attendee said: “I asked about the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act because I’m concerned about being discriminated against by employers for something from my past which I’m trying to leave behind.”
The event was aimed at encouraging young people to register to vote – statistics show that only 44% of young people aged 18 – 24 voted in the 2010 General Election.
Pictured, from left: Back row: Swindon Foyer residents Liam Carter and Ryan Meehan; Anne Snelgrove, Labour candidate; Robert Buckland, Conservative candidate; Swindon Foyer residents Brandon Harris and Lee Gillett. Front row; Swindon Foyer residents Charmana Parkes, Joreane Campbell, Katherine Johnston and Jordan Metcalfe
