“It’s always a proud moment when the young people in my care just call to say hello…”, said a North Lincolnshire supported lodgings host who is encouraging others to become hosts and open their homes to changing lives.
Throughout the month of August, the fostering team at North Lincolnshire Council are raising awareness alongside their current hosts and young people about the impact supported lodgings has and why more people should know about the scheme and be involved.
Like many young people, those who are care-experienced also need help, support, guidance and friendship before they are ready to live on their own.
A young person in North Lincolnshire who has experienced supported lodgings expressed to their previous hosts: “Thank you. And I mean it because the ones that I do stay in contact with, I treasure closely, like family – better than family that I have had.
“[To anyone who’s thinking about becoming a host] I’d say do it.
“I’d say it’s not only probably very fulfilling for you, but it’s really helping a young person.
“And I, I wouldn’t know how it feels to be a lodger, but I can imagine it feels awesome to have that kind of impact on someone being the person that that kind of impact has touched me.”
Supported lodgings hosts share their homes with young people aged 16 to 24 and help them to learn and develop valuable skills building their independence such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, applying for work and attending college.
As part of this year’s campaign, the team have worked on a video to showcase the thoughts and opinions of current hosts, why they value the scheme, their proudest moments and some opinions of the scheme from a young person who has experienced supported lodgings in North Lincolnshire themselves. You can watch the video on the North Lincolnshire Council’s YouTube channel.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families, and communities, said: “Our supported lodgings scheme continues our promise to provide our children and young people with the highest level of care and support that we can.
“When children reach the age of 16, they still need the guiding hand of a person that will listen to them and support them with life’s challenges, for many of us that would be mum and dad, but our care experienced young people may not have that. So, for them, a supported lodgings host is far more than a landlord. It is a very rewarding role with the opportunity to make a significant difference to a young person’s life.
“We are very proud of our children in North Lincolnshire, our foster carers and our supported lodgings hosts.
“This scheme offers an anchor of support to our young people, reaching 16 and beyond, playing a pivotal role in the lives of many young people in the community, aiding them to build confidence, life skills and independence in a safe environment.
“North Lincolnshire is active in our lifelong care offer and providing support to our young people, looking for hosts to share their knowledge and experience, opening their homes for young people to thrive. If this could be you, reach out to the team and find out more.”
Current North Lincolnshire supported lodgings hosts, said: “Over the years we’ve both worked with young people in education and apprenticeships, and we just felt that we were very lucky to have a spare bedroom and that we could give something back.
“From a personal point of view, when I was 18, I was in a similar scheme and my mentor helped me in a very rocky time of my life. So it was, I just feel we’re giving something back.”
Events will be taking place in the local community for people to find out more about the scheme. You can meet the team to talk more at the following events:
• Wednesday 7 August at Ongo Carnival, in Scunthorpe, at 11am to 3.30pm
• Thursday 15 August at The Ropewalk, in Barton-upon-Humber, at 10am to 2pm
• Wednesday 21 August at ASDA, Burringham Road in Scunthorpe at 10am to 2pm
• Sunday 25 August at Scunthorpe Pride in Church Square, Scunthorpe at 12pm to 7pm
You can also find out more by visiting the supported lodgings webpage, watch the new supported lodgings video on the North Lincolnshire Council’s YouTube channel, email fostering@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297024.
