Aidan calls for better housing support in speech at Parliament
17 Sep 2026
This week, Break young person Aidan bravely spoke at Parliament about the need for a safer and more secure housing pathway for care leavers.
Aidan, who was supported by Break's Staying Close, Staying Connected programme, was selected to take part in My Maiden Speech, a programme run by the Speakers Trust which helps young people develop and deliver speeches on issues connected to their lived experience.
The event, hosted by Sureena Brackenridge MP, gave Aidan the opportunity to share his own experience of moving through care and the challenges many care-experienced young people face when trying to find a stable home.
Aidan spoke candidly about entering care at 14, moving into semi-independent living at 16, and finding support through Break. He used his speech to highlight the importance of ensuring all care leavers have access to the stability and support they need as they move into adulthood.
In his speech, Aidan highlighted that, on average, 118 care-experienced young people were homeless at any one time across Norfolk, Peterborough and Cambridge between April 2025 and April 2026.
He called for improvements to the housing bidding system for care leavers, saying:
"Everyone deserves a space where they can call home. Everyone should feel safe. Everyone should have a sense of security."
Rachel Cowdry, Chief Executive of Break, said:
"We're incredibly proud of Aidan for speaking passionately and courageously about an issue that affects so many care-experienced young people. Every young person deserves a safe place to call home and the opportunity to build a bright future.
"Aidan's speech is a powerful reminder that we must do more to ensure care leavers have the support and stability they need as they move into adulthood."
Following the event, Aidan had the opportunity to speak with Sureena Brackenridge MP about his experiences and the changes he would like to see for young people leaving care. Aidan is also part of Break's Routes to Roofs project, which brings together young people, local authorities and other partners to explore innovative, long-term housing solutions for care leavers.