This week we welcomed Joel Lewis, CEO of The Foyer Federation, to speak with colleagues, some of our younger residents who live in our foyers; and external partners about the great work that they do and their goals for the next five years.
The Foyer Federation is a national charity working with supported housing providers, wider youth and homelessness sectors, and young people directly. #TeamYHG works closely with the organisation to help us shape our four foyers in Chester, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan.
This week’s visit centred around The Foyer Federation’s new vision and strategy for the next five years, and how they can help supported housing providers, like us, provide the most impactful services to young lives.
Paula Marshall, our Executive Director of Housing & Customer, opened the session with an introduction on the importance and significance of our foyers and how our Board and Executive team has an extremely strong commitment to the young people starting their tenancy journey with us. Paula spoke about the financial challenges for both foyers and supported housing, but for YHG the foyers represent our commitment to ensuring we provide a safe place to call home with many of the young people moving on from our foyers to become long-term YHG residents.
Andy Ward, our Young People Services Manager commented about the session and said “It is a privilege to contribute to the national Foyer Federation strategy and future plans, ensuring we continue to positively impact the lives of many young people living in foyers...”
It was an insightful day, allowing us to learn more about foyers across the UK and their history. We also had the valuable opportunity to hear from our residents and partners.
One foyer resident summarised it all: “A foyer is a place to call home.”
Thank you to our Supported Housing Team who organised the session and The Foyer Federation for visiting, sharing their vision and plan and for all of their support.