Cumbrians Invited To Open Their Homes To Help Young Care Leavers
People across Cumbria are being invited to open their homes to young people leaving care, helping them develop the confidence and life skills needed for adult independence.
The scheme, known as Homestays, is run by Cumbria Fostering and is aimed at young people aged between 16 and 21 who are leaving care or are at risk of homelessness. It offers them a safe and supportive place to live while they prepare for the responsibilities of adult life.
Hosts welcome a young person into their household and provide stability, encouragement and everyday guidance. The arrangement is intended to give young people the reassurance of a supportive home environment while allowing them to develop greater independence at their own pace.
Practical support can include showing a young person how to cook, manage a budget, shop for essentials and look after a home. These everyday skills can be important steps towards managing a tenancy and living independently in the future.
The role can also involve encouraging a young person to pursue education, training or employment. Hosts can offer advice and act as a trusted adult, providing someone the young person can approach when they need guidance or support.
Homestays is different from fostering younger children. Rather than providing the same type of care, the emphasis is on helping an older teenager or young adult become increasingly self-reliant while retaining the security of a stable place to live.
Cumbria Fostering provides ongoing guidance to people taking part in the scheme. Support is available from the early stages of making an application and completing the assessment process through to welcoming a young person into the home and supporting them during the arrangement.
The organisation is holding an online Homestays information session at noon on Wednesday, November 18. The event is being organised to coincide with National Supported Lodgings Week, which runs from November 16 to 22.
People attending the session will be able to watch a short presentation explaining the scheme and find out more about what becoming a host involves. The application and assessment process will also be covered, giving potential hosts an opportunity to understand what would be expected of them.
There will be time for attendees to ask questions during the online event. Taking part does not commit anyone to applying, allowing people to explore the opportunity and decide whether hosting could be right for them.
Nicola Boulton, a Homestays host from Kendal, said having someone who would listen, offer advice and provide support could make a significant difference to a young person. She described the role as offering a safe home and additional help while a young person moves towards independence.
Ms Boulton said seeing young people flourish, develop and build confidence had been particularly rewarding. She encouraged anyone who felt they could provide that support to find out more about the scheme.
People interested in attending the online information session can book a place through the Cumbria Fostering website at cumbriafostering.org.uk. The session offers an opportunity to learn about the role, hear how the scheme works and ask questions before deciding whether to take the next step.
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