When You Were 21

This year Depaul UK is turning 21. To celebrate this birthday and to raise awareness of the issues facing many young people turning 21 today, we are asking people to submit a short reflection on when they were 21 as part of a wider project to celebrate our birthday. Read submitted entries from the likes of Jo Brand here.

Many of us look back on our 21st birthday with fondness; a time when we were young, adventurous, ambitious and with a range of opportunities available to us. But for many of the young people we work with, and the thousands more facing unemployment and disadvantage each year, turning 21 is going to be a very different experience. Many have been kicked out of home and are struggling to cope with the challenges of this transition into adulthood, without a permanent roof over their head.

Depaul UK helps thousands of young people each year. We provide safe accommodation. We provide training. We help them to fulfil their potential. The public perception of young homeless, unemployed and disadvantaged young people needs to change. That’s where you can lend a hand.

We need the help of you to make the campaign a success. All we are asking is for a couple of paragraphs outlining what you were doing, what problems you faced, what ambitions you had or a funny story that represents you at 21. We are also asking for a photograph to accompany the piece.

Just fill in the form below - and we would love it if you would upload a jpeg high res image of yourself too. Any questions or problems, send us an email on depaul@depauluk.org. Thanks.