Jersey Association for Youth & Friendship

JERSEY ASSOCIATION FOR YOUTH AND FRIENDSHIP ( JAYF )

About Us

JAYF provides safe, affordable, and supervised accommodation to young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who might otherwise be homeless in Jersey. Although rough sleeping is the most visible form of homelessness, more young people experience ‘hidden homelessness.’ Pushed to the brink, they are sleeping on sofas of family and friends or living in cars with no stability or security. The demand for accommodation is at its highest ever due to the impact of COVID and the cost-of-living crisis on young people, including loss of employment, rising rent and family breakdown 

JAYF provides a degree of stability and security as a stepping stone to enable residents to find employment and find more permanent accommodation; and holistic, person-centred, responsive, flexible, quality support, in a positive environment where issues connected to homelessness can be addressed. JAYF empowers residents to achieve their goals and get access to appropriate services.

Young Peoples Stories

“I would not be where I am today without JAYF and it has opened up doors for me that I didn’t know I needed, just by being a safe haven and halfway house on the road to personal improvement.”

“Since coming to the JAYF hostel. I have got my life back together. Yes, there are restrictions, but not too many. I feel both independent and supported.”

“Moving to JAYF was like having a weight lifted from me, I no longer had to worry about going home or a lack of privacy. I felt safe, happier and more confident and valued having someone available to talk to when I was feeling down or anxious.”

Get Help

JAYF believes a young person’s circumstances should not define their future and that given the right support, everyone can reach their potential.

If you are aged between 18 and 25 and are homeless or at risk of being homeless, please get in touch to discuss your needs and see how JAYF can help. 

If you are a professional organisation and wish to refer on behalf of a young person, please get in touch.

Support Us

JAYF are an independent charity and rely almost entirely on grants, donations and fundraising to support young people experiencing homelessness in Jersey. This is now more important than ever. If you would like to support JAYF at this challenging time, please email fundraising@jayf.org.je to find out how you can make a difference.