Foyer Update is a monthly feature contributed by the Foyer Federation and written by Sophie Livingstone, Head of Policy & Communications. Any views expressed are those of the author. Email: sophie@foyer.net.
We continue with our feature series, focusing on different Foyers around the UK. This month we feature Creekside Foyer, which is located at Millennium Quay on the edge of West Greenwich in London.
The Foyer is managed by NACRO, the crime-reduction charity that works to give ex-offenders, disadvantaged people and deprived communities the help to build a better future. The Foyer is funded by a number of sources. These include Creekside SRB, the Housing Corporation, charitable and private funding.
The project provides 42 bed spaces for homeless, unemployed young people. As well as accommodation, tenants receive individual support sessions with a key worker and access to advice and guidance on housing and employment. The sessions are part of a planned programme of resettlement, which explores and addresses individual support needs, and covers areas such as budgeting, family mediation, healthy living, tenant involvement, and finding move-on accommodation.
Creekside Foyer provides its tenants with a Learning and Employment Centre, where the young people can access IT facilities and get help with writing CVs. There are also childcare services for the local community and Creekside Foyer tenants within the grounds.
The Foyer organises regular speak-out events, which aim to give residents the chance to talk and question the Foyer manager directly. The agenda is set by the residents and encourages ongoing communication between the Foyer manager and residents.
Last year, as part of this ongoing drive to involve residents in the running and decision-making process of the Foyer, Creekside introduced elected zone-reps to facilitate and encourage communication between Foyer staff and residents. The zone-reps are the first point of contact for communication and act as go-betweens for the staff and tenants. Foyer staff actively encourages and write to zone-reps. There are no financial benefits to being a zone-rep, but many have gone on to represent the Foyer at NACRO's London tenant participation meetings. It also serves to boost the young people's confidence and communication skills.
The Foyer also has a T-Room in which a competition was held last year to decide the best and most appropriate design for the wall in the room. It is currently in the process of being developed by the residents for the current year. The room provides a place to chat and relax, but can also be used for other activities, such as drama groups, art clubs, photography, and cooking lessons.
Foyer in Focus is contributed by the Foyer Federation: www.foyer.net.
