New accommodation to combat youth homelessness in Norwich
The launch of a new accommodation provision in Norwich City Centre is set to enable young people, who may have previously been at risk of homelessness, to take their next steps to forging successful independent lives.
The accommodation is a partnership between local charity The Benjamin Foundation who provide support to the young people and social housing provider Solo Housing (East Anglia) who are the young people’s landlord.
The project was made possible by funding of close to £400,000 from Norwich City Council Affordable Housing Fund to support the capital works and £650,000 from a local Quaker endowment to enable the vital service to combat homelessness in the city, by ensuring young people aged 18-30, who may not have had the best start in life, have a safe home and support to take their next steps.
With a staggering 122,000 young people facing homelessness in the UK last year (source: Centrepoint) The Benjamin Foundation works to prevent youth homelessness on a local level and operates accommodation services across Norfolk and Suffolk to provide over 57,000 safe nights each year. The charity also helps the young people to boost their emotional wellbeing, learn life skills and how to manage their own tenancies, as well as support to access training and education in order to create successful futures.
Matt Garrod, The Benjamin Foundation Director of Operations says:
“Pottergate is our first central Norwich accommodation for those over 18 years of age and meets a vital need to support young people on their road to independence, reducing the likelihood of homelessness. It is a great venue with easy access to local amenities, employment, education and training – important factors in building successful futures.”
The six self-contained flats have furnished kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces, as well as a communal social space. Residents will also receive three hours of dedicated support each week from The Benjamin Foundation, who have 30 years of experience in supporting young people, to build on their existing skills as they move towards full independent living.
“24 Pottergate is one of three properties that adjoin our Norwich Meeting House that are in Quaker ownership,” explained Lucy Parker, Co-Clerk of Norfolk & Waveney Area Quaker Meeting, “and seeing it renovated and used to help these young people on their journey is the culmination of a five-year project by Norfolk & Waveney Quakers.”
Andrew Meyer, Chief Executive of Solo Housing says:
“This is an amazing provision of supported accommodation for young people in the city centre and we are delighted to continue working with The Benjamin Foundation.
Pottergate provides much-needed quality accommodation in an excellent location being so close to the city centre. The standard of accommodation is very high and we are pleased to put our name to it and be landlord to six young people and who we look forward to watch grow and develop.”
Matt Garrod adds: “Pottergate will provide a stepping stone to independence and we are extremely thankful for the opportunity to work in partnership with Quakers, Solo Housing (East Anglia) and Norwich City Council, who have worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life for the benefit of local young people.”
Pottergate will offer a valuable move-on option for young people in current housing provisions and welcomes referrals and enquiries from local authorities and leaving care teams.
For further information about Pottergate, please contact Gail.Hodds@benjaminfoundation.co.uk