Two UK charities supporting vulnerable homeless people are to share £523,000 in funding from global health firm UCB.

The money is being made available to youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, and homeless patients support charity Pathway, as part of a £3.1m commitment by the firm’s Community Health Fund to support 12 charities worldwide

The fund is focused on tackling health inequalities among vulnerable communities.

It paused last year amid a review which has seen it look to support a smaller number of charities over a longer period, with funding available over the next three years.

“By Providing more meaningful support, over more time, we hope to help create change that truly lasts,” said UCB Community Health fund secretary general Xavier Hormaechea.

“By focusing our support where it can make the greatest difference, I hope we help these organisations create fairer health outcomes and brighter futures for the people they serve.”

Centrepoint will use its funding to help young people impacted by homelessness to access mental health support.

“Homelessness can have a profound impact on a young person’s mental wellbeing, and without confidence and good mental health, it becomes even harder for them to move out of homelessness and build fulfilling lives,” said Centrepoint mental health support services senior manager Richard Banks.

Meanwhile, Pathway will use its funding to strengthen its work with the NHS to improve healthcare for those experiencing homelessness.

The charity’s chief executive Alex Bax warns that patients experiencing homelessness can die on average 30 years younger than the general population.

The Fund is supported by the Belgium based King Baudouin Foundation, which has a focus on addressing health inequalities.

Charities in Belgium, United States, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Switzerland are also benefitting from funding, which is focused in countries where UCB has a strong presence.

Since 2020 it has supported more than 30 charities in the UK and Ireland.

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