Emily Mapley, who faced homelessness at 13, credits a school survey by Upstream Cymru for changing her life. The program, inspired by a successful Australian model, identifies students at risk of homelessness and connects them with support services. Emily's experience highlights the importance of early intervention in preventing youth homelessness.
Despite the program's success, charity Llamau warns that a lack of long-term government support could hinder its expansion in Wales. The initiative has grown from one school to twelve, emphasizing the need for sustained funding to continue helping vulnerable youth and prevent family breakdowns that lead to homelessness.