Llamau is a charity working in Wales to support young people, women and children at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Over nearly 40 years we have supported over 160,000 young people, women and children, providing safe accommodation, support and training to build confidence and open paths to brighter futures.

Together we can work towards ending homelessness for young people, women and children in Wales.

Julie didn’t really understand all the different ways people abuse others until she was supported by Llamau. “Then I realised that not only had I been in an abusive relationship for twelve years, but every single relationship I’d ever been in had been abusive. It was a real turning point.” 

Julie’s journey of recovery began when she met Karen, a Llamau support worker. “Karen’s been my support throughout everything,” Julie says. “Whenever I’ve needed that little bit of extra support or emotional support, I’d just pick up the phone and she was there at the other end. She came to court with me, she supported me, she was amazing.” 

Taking her perpetrator to court was not an easy decision for Julie. It was a process that stretched over four long years. But Julie’s courage and determination did not waver. With Karen’s and Llamau’s support, and the strength she built through attending courses and learning about the cycle of abuse, Julie stood firm. “I spoke out, I got believed, and I got justice,” she says. “That’s what every woman who has been through abuse deserves – justice, to know that if we speak, we’ll be listened to, and something will be done.” 

“I’m happier. I’ve got freedom, and I don’t have to worry about what I’m saying or what I’m eating any more. Nobody can take that away from me.” 

It has taken time for Julie to heal, but she has reclaimed her strength and her voice. “It took a long time to know it wasn’t my fault, that I didn’t deserve what happened. Time doesn’t make you forget, but you learn to live with what’s happened. And I wouldn’t be sat here today if I hadn’t had the support I had from Karen and Llamau.” 

Julie’s story is one of bravery, resilience, and hope. It’s a reminder that no one should have to face abuse – and that with the right support, healing and justice are possible. 

Llamau is proud to have advanced understanding of inclusive support for young people through research into Tŷ Pride, Wales’s only dedicated supported accommodation for LGBTQ+ young people at risk of homelessness. The report analyses Tŷ Pride’s success and sets out a best practice model for delivering psychologically informed, gender-affirming support in a safe and LGBTQ+ inclusive environment. Launched at the Senedd, the research demonstrates the importance of tailored services and the potential for wider adoption across Wales to better meet the needs of LGBTQ+ young people. 

Over the past year, Llamau has expanded accommodation and support services to respond to the changing needs of young people across Wales. In Torfaen, Llamau increased provision within the Housing Support Grant funded supported accommodation and floating support service by adding four additional supported flats. In Cardiff, a new 24-hour supported housing project opened specifically for young people leaving care, providing consistent and tailored support at a crucial stage of transition. In central Powys, Llamau launched a new 16+ accommodation and support, further strengthening the commitment to creating safe, stable environments for young people. 

Preventing homelessness means taking action before crisis hits. Llamau continues to champion early intervention through Upstream Cymru, a pioneering school-based programme that identifies and supports young people at risk of homelessness before they lose their home. As the first organisation in Europe to pilot the Upstream model, Llamau has since expanded its reach in Wales and supported partners in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to establish their own programmes. 

This year, Llamau worked closely with The Royal Foundation’s Homewards initiative to roll out Upstream across six UK areas. Collaboration with Cardiff University is helping to evidence the impact of this approach, which has already shown that 99% of young people identified as at risk were supported to safely remain at home. Upstream Cymru is not just a programme – it is a blueprint for preventing homelessness and transforming futures. 

This year, Llamau achieved Care Inspectorate Wales registration for its first Children’s Home in the Vale of Glamorgan – an important milestone in expanding support for young people. The home, in the Vale of Glamorgan, welcomed its first two residents, both of whom moved on positively: one into supported accommodation and the other back to their family home. Two more young people have since moved in, continuing Llamau’s commitment to providing safe, nurturing environments that support positive transitions and long-term stability. 

The quality of support Llamau provides is made possible by the exceptional people who deliver it. That’s why Llamau continues to invest in colleagues across the organisation. Over the past year, Llamau has developed and delivered bespoke internal e-learning, virtual classroom training and micro-teach sessions, all grounded in psychological models and clinical expertise. We continue to deliver Compassionate Leadership training for managers at every level and have introduced a one-day Compassionate Leadership course for non-managerial operational colleagues.  We have also introduced the ‘Step Into Management’ programme to support colleagues aspiring to leadership roles 

Founded in 1986 to provide safe accommodation for young people who were homeless with nowhere else to turn, Llamau’s purpose remains rooted in that same belief today: that everyone deserves a safe place to call home and the chance to build a future free from fear and insecurity. 

Over the decades, Llamau has grown from a small, local organisation into a national charity leading the way in preventing homelessness and supporting women, young people and children across Wales. From pioneering projects such as Tŷ Pride, Wales’ first dedicated accommodation for LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness, to influencing fundamental changes in homelessness policy and legislation, Llamau has consistently challenged stigma, broken new ground and driven lasting social change. 

But the true measure of Llamau’s impact lies in the lives transformed. Thousands of people have found safety, hope and belonging through Llamau’s support. Each story, from a young person returning to education to a survivor of abuse finding independence, reflects the compassion, expertise and commitment that define our work. 

Next year, when we mark 40 years of Llamau changing lives, we also look to the future. The challenges may evolve, but Llamau’s mission remains steadfast: to end homelessness and domestic abuse in Wales for good. Building on four decades of impact, Llamau will continue to innovate, advocate and stand alongside those who need us most.