Where did we come from

YOU was originally formed in 1985 as the Portsmouth Housing Trust by Portsmouth Housing Association to provide care and support services to people who were not its residents.

By 1993, we had became one of the major providers of care, support and advice services in Portsmouth and the Housing Association took the decision to transfer all the care and support services provided to us. In 1998, we changed our name to Southern Focus Trust and in 2001 we demerged from the Portsmouth Housing Association Group.

Since then, YOU has grown and now provides services to people who are homeless or threatenend with homelessness, people with a mental illness, those with a learning disability, young people (including young parents) at risk of homelessness, ex-offenders and women and children surviving domestic violence.

In 2009, recognising that the work they did was national and wishing to have a name which captured the importance of person centred services, the company went though a rebranding. YOU has been warmly welcomed by service users and staff alike as a name which is memorable, iconic and captures the ethos of a charity working with poeople. The brand was launched at our staff conference in February 2009.

YOU provides services in Portsmouth, throughout Hampshire, across Dorset and is looking to work more widely across England and Wales. Each year we support over 8,000 people.

YOU has a turnover of over £13m a year and has become a major employer on the south coast with over 400 staff. In 2009, the charity was shortlisted for Wessex Charity of the Year and Wessex Charity CEO of the Year. Its Portsmouth Community Legal Advice Centre won Team of the Year in the News Business Excellence Awards where Nicola Youern was also recognised as Business Personality of the Year.