A supported youth housing scheme in Evesham has been so successful at transforming the lives of young people at risk of homelessness, a second one is being created in the north of Wychavon.
We opened a St Basils project in Wychavon in August 2021 in response to increasing demand for homelessness support from young people aged 16 to 24, which has risen by 323% since 2018.
The aim is to support young people with challenges they face which puts them at risk of rough sleeping or sofa surfing, so they can move on to their own accommodation and live independently.
Young people with a local connection to the district and who have approached Wychavon’s housing team for help, are referred to the scheme where they are given a range of support. This includes training on budgeting, independent living skills, education and employment qualifications.
So far, 30 young people have been supported by the project with 17 of these having worked through their issues and challenges to complete an accredited life skills course and move on to live in their own long-term home.
One particular success story involved a young woman who was pregnant without knowing it and ended up giving birth at the project. Social Services wanted to put the child into care but the support on offer at the scheme convinced them to let mother and baby stay together. The young woman went on to complete a Prince’s Trust course and secure her own home for her and her daughter.
Wychavon now intends to replicate the scheme in the north of the district and is currently in the process of buying a property in Droitwich Spa. The new scheme will be run along the same lines as the Wychavon project. It will be managed by an external partner, to be confirmed at a later date, and there will be strict rules about who is allowed to access the scheme and behaviour while living there.
Cllr Rik Deller, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Housing, said: “I’m really proud of how together with our partners St Basils we are transforming the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people in our district.
“Working with young people before they end up on the streets or sofa surfing is not only better for the individuals concerned but makes better financial sense for us too. It is more cost-effective to offer support early-on rather than try to help after someone has developed a complex set of needs.
“Demand for homelessness support from young people continues to increase which is why we committed in our We Are Wychavon Plan to investing in a second scheme.
“The property we have identified in Droitwich Spa is in an ideal location with good access to services, employment opportunities and transport links. We understand some misinformation has been circulating locally which has caused concern about the scheme amongst some local residents. We will be engaging with local people to explain the merits and benefits of the scheme and provide the reassurances they are looking for.”