Get Help

GISDA offers support and accommodation for young people between the ages of 16-25 years old. If you need help, follow our simple referral process.

Step 1 – Contact us

The young person, or an agency on their behalf, need to complete a stage one referral form containing some basic details about their current situation. They can also call us at 01286 671153 or visit our office in Caernarfon’s town centre.

Step 2 – Talk to our referrals officer

The referrals officer will contact the young person and tell them more about GISDA and the services we offer. They will then complete stage two of the referrals form which requires more information about the person’s background, current situation, and the type of support they need.

Step 3 – Meet our referrals officer

The referrals officer will arrange to meet the young person at a safe and convenient location to introduce themselves and complete the final part of the referral.

Step 4 – The referrals officer contacts other agencies

If the young person has received support from other agencies, or is currently receiving support from another agency, our referrals officer will get in touch with these agencies for more information about the nature of this support.

Step 5 – The referrals officer assesses your case

After collecting all the information, we complete a risk assessment and decide whether the young person is eligible to receive support from GISDA.

Step 6 – Welcome to GISDA

If the young person is eligible to receive support they will be placed on GISDA’s waiting list until they are allocated a key worker. It is difficult to estimate how long a person will be waiting for support. In the meantime, the referrals officer will refer the young person to other related agencies and explore alternative options for support.

I AM AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS, WHAT DO I DO?

Get advice about your situation from your local authority’s homelessness department. All council homelessness departments will be able to give you advice about your situation or refer you to a specialist agency that can help. Most homelessness departments will also have a Homelessness Prevention Officer who can help you. In Gwynedd, GISDA offers support to young homeless people between the ages of 16-25 years old.

You may be entitled to housing and/or support through your council’s housing department. If you are classed as ‘in priority need’, the council has a duty to accommodate you.

In Wales, those classed as a ‘priority’ are:

  • Pregnant women
  • Those with children who are financially dependent on them
  • Those who require special help because they are old, disabled, or for other reasons
  • 16 and 17 year olds
  • Anyone aged 18, 19 or 20 who are at risk of sexual or financial exploitation
  • Anyone aged 18, 19 or 20 who has been privately fostered, lived in a children’s home or been in the care of a local authority, health authority or voluntary organisation
  • Anyone who has been subject to domestic violence or is at risk of domestic violence if they were to return home
  • Former members of the Armed Forces who have become homeless since leaving the forces
  • Ex-prisoners who have become homeless since leaving and who have a connection to the area

It is important to think carefully before deciding to leave your current place of residence. Remember – if you become homeless through your own fault you may not be entitled to any assistance from the council

Frequently Asked Questions

What age groups are eligible to receive support from GISDA?

GISDA offers support and accommodation to young people between the ages of 16-25 years old.

Do you have accommodation for couples?

Yes, we have accommodation for 4 families in the following areas: Caernarfon, Llanrug, Felinheli, Blaenau Ffestiniog

What can I expect from GISDA?

We provide supported housing and assign a key worker to each young person. The key worker will work with the young person to identify desired outcomes and develop a support plan to help them reach those outcomes. All of our service users are also offered the opportunity to participate in workshops, activities, training, and much more.