Foyer Update is a monthly feature contributed by the Foyer Federation and written by Sophie Livingstone, Head of Policy & Communications. Views expressed are those of the author. Email: sophie@foyer.net
The Focus E15 FoyerWe continue with our feature series, focusing on different Foyers around the UK. This month we feature the Focus E15 Foyer.
Focus E15 Foyer is one of four Foyers managed by East Potential and is the largest Foyer in the UK Foyer network. Focus, which is based in Stratford, east London, provides services to the young people of the London Borough of Newham on a residential or non-residential basis. Since opening in late 1996, Focus E15 has been at the forefront of the development of the UK Foyer movement through initiatives such as developing and instigating a mandatory accredited lifeskills programme for residents. This is also available to local young people who do not live at the Foyer, but who might be visiting friends or family members who do.
Focus E15 Foyer will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in November. Comprising 210 units in total, Focus E15 has recently undergone remodelling, this time in order to be able to accommodate up to 16 young parents and their children. This development is particularly important as it means the Foyer can continue to provide a service to young parents. Now they can work with the increasing population of teenage mothers in the Newham area, providing them with a real chance to continue to grow and develop while recognising their responsibilities as parents.
As well as providing services to the Foyer's 210 residents, Focus E15 has an open door service for young people living in Newham who want to access employment and training services. Focus offers a wide range of training, development and support opportunities to young people. In particular, lifeskills sessions and careers action planning services are available to local young people, offering them the chance to develop their independent living skills and career opportunities.
The lifeskills training sessions on offer at Focus vary from health related sessions - such as alcohol awareness, contraception and sexual health - to masterclasses on ''how to be the one that gets the job'' and workshops exploring various issues through drama. It also provides programmes of dance, singing classes, and graffiti art - which have all proven very successful in capturing the creative interests of the young people who use Focus.
The Foyer also offers Newham's young people a Careers Action Planning service and Work Placements.
Referral partners include:
For further information, please visit: www.east-potential.org.uk/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=28.