24 September 2007
Caring Householders needed NOW!
Step By Step, an Aldershot-based charity, is looking for people in East Hampshire who can offer a young person aged 16 or 17 a room in their own home, teach them life skills, find independence, and then help them move on to their own accommodation.
Step By Step has held a major recruitment drive for householders in the East Hampshire area, including handing out leaflets and talking to people outside Tesco, Bordon, and in the Rams Walk shopping area in Petersfield.
"We have many young people in East Hampshire who are looking for accommodation right now," said Norman Ashcroft,Step By Step supported lodgings project manager.
"We are working with East Hampshire District Council to try and find householders but it is an ongoing problem and we are continually looking for householders who can support a young person. More and more vulnerable young people need a stable family environment, and there is a constant drive to find people willing to offer a young person a room in their home," he added.
"We had some success in our recruitment campaign and we will be following up the enquiries we received over the next few weeks. But the overall response has been disappointing and we desperately need people to come forward," he added.
Step By Step's Supported Lodgings Scheme aims to bridge the gap between home or being in care, and living independently in the community.
"We need people from all walks of life - married or single, with or without children, young or not so young. Depending on the size of room offered, whether food is provided, and the level of support given to the young person, householders can expect to receive up to £150 per week," said Mr Ashcroft.
Step By Step provides accommodation and development opportunities for vulnerable single people and in the past 10 years it has helped more than 90 young people find accommodation in a supportive home environment.
"Most young people experience some difficulties when they leave home, but teenagers who have been forced to leave home due to family problems often find themselves struggling to cope alone," he said.
"Many lack the confidence and basic skills to live independently and without the support of a family, the experience can be traumatic. People might think that East Hampshire doesn't have this problem but this is not true and when a young person has no family support and has literally nowhere to go, we try and help pick up the pieces," he added.
The scheme supports both the carer and young person during their stay and Mr Ashcroft is appealing to anyone who might have a spare room to contact Step By Step for a chat, without any obligation.
If you think you can help, or would like to know more about the scheme, Mr Ashcroft can be contacted at 61 Victoria Road, Aldershot, GU11 1SJ, on 01252 313 158 or by email at
norman.ashcroft@stepbystep.org.uk