Page 21 - link magazine

See us on the net 0 www.swindonlink.com The Link Magazine • October 1998 21
New approach to youth accommodation and training
A £2.3m project aimed at providing homes and assistance to young people, opened its doors to its first residents at the beginning of
September.
The Swindon Foyer project,
managed by Housing Association,
provides affordable accommoda-
tion linked to training and guid-
ance for 16 to 25 year olds (30 if
disabled). Swindon Foyer Man-
ager Caroline Duffy describes it as
,
new and very exciting for Swin-
don.'
Since the first Foyer project
opened in 1992, nearly 80 have
established - almost one a month.
Though managed by a variety of
organisations, all are based around
the integration of accommodation
and support services for disadvan-
taged young people. They pro-
vide a stable and secure commu-
nity, training in basic skills and
independent living, and help find-
ing appropriate training, employ-
ment and permanent accommo-
dation. Their aim is to enable
youngsters to achieve independ-
ence and play a full part in society.
Swindon Foyer is a conversion
of three Victorian Grade II Listed
houses at 17,19 and 21 Bath Road Foyer Manager Caroline Duffy, left, with Project Worker Sue D'Amico
with a modern extension to the
rear. It has 60 smart new furnished patio areas, a small car park and a number of other relevant youth will not take place until the end of
bed-sits with en-suite facilities, bike shed. and training organisations. November. To find out more, con-
including 8 specially equipped for Rents and services will initially Although young people are al- tact Caroline Duffy on 531679.
people with disabilities. These are be set at £70 a week. This will pay ready beginning to move in, the • Foyer Federation on the internet:
arranged in groups, each group for the manager, four housing official launch of Swindon Foyer www.foyer.net
sharing a kitchen. In the basement workers and security staff.
is a large common room with a Swindon College are providing
pool table, TV and comfy chairs, a training in literacy, numeracy and
smaller training room, a computer computing. The Prince's Trust,
suite with 10 computers, provided who will be moving into a part of
by Swindon College, and an extra the old Thames Water building at
kitchen which may be used for the rear of the site, will be working
training. There are garden and closely with the Foyer, as will a Property Letting & Management
New Deal for 18 - 25 year olds Personal service from Swindon's
leading rental specialists
If you are between 18 and 25 and feel you are disadvantaged in some
way in looking for work, you may be able to get help through New If you are seeking rented accommodation
Deal, the Government's scheme to prepare young people for work. then contact our office in West Swindon District Centre,
next to the Link Centre.
Generally, anyone in this age available are:
bracket who has been in receipt of • Up to 52 weeks of training which If you are thinking of letting a property
Job Seekers Allowance for six leads to an approved qualification, we welcome the opportunity to meet you to discuss
months or more will automatically linked to work experience. An our choice of letting and management services.
be required to take part in New allowance equivalent to Job Seek-
Deal. But those who are at a disad- ers Allowance, book and material
vantage - perhaps through an in- costs will be paid.
volvement with drugs, a criminal • Work with an employer, paid at
record or through health problems the rate for the job. The employer
- can often join the scheme volun- must provide training, which is
tarily prior to this point. closely monitored, but receives a
"The first thing we do is to ask subsidy of £60 per week and up to
'what do you want and how can £750 towards training costs.
we help you get there?," says Tern • Work placements in the Volun-
Edwards of Swindon Job Centre. tary Sector or as part of an Envi-
A 'Gateway' period of up to four ronmental Task Force, gaining ex- The Finders Keepers Team in Swindon: Sue Brearley, manager, centre,
months of regular meetings and perience, confidence, and training with James Johnson, Nigel Griffith, Georgie Farrant
support is allowed to help young towards a recognised qualification.
people identify goals and any bar- Benefit plus £15 per week is pay- 6 Town Square, West Swindon Centre, Swindon
riers to their achievement. able. 0 Tel: 01793 886200 • E-mail: [email protected]
During or at the end of this pe- • Self-employment with support Out of hours recorded letting list 01865 311011
riod a choice has to be made as to from organisations like Great
Browse our interactive property database @ www.finders.co.uk
the way forward. The options Western Community Enterprise.