Bridgend Council is offering roles which will make a difference to young people’s lives
OPPORTUNITIES beckon to help young people in the Bridgend area get on the road to independent living.
Bridgend Council runs the supported lodgings scheme and has now launched a recruitment drive for more people to open up their homes to those in need of a bit of stability.
Michele Evans is one person who has made a difference. In her physiotherapy role for adults with disabilities, she is used to helping people improve their lives. But she knew she had more in her, and set out on a path which she has never regretted.
She is a physio technician with Swansea Bay University Health Board in Bridgend, but away from work has extended her household by providing supported lodgings.
Nearly two years ago Michele joined the scheme and is currently looking after her third placement. She has no intention of giving up on this extra commitment any time soon and actively encourages others to follow her lead, which is music to the authority’s ears as it seeks to recruit new accommodation providers.
REACHING OUT TO VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE
The supported lodgings programme from Bridgend Council offers a room within a home for people aged 16 to 21 for a few months, or maybe a bit longer.
They may have come from the care system or are unable to live at home, but are not quite ready to live on their own. Through the placement, they pick up household skills as part of their development, which aims to leave them equipped to live independently.
‘GIVING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A BETTER CHANCE IN LIFE’
Michele, who lives in Coity, Bridgend, with her 16 year-old daughter, signed up to make her contribution, partly because of her work experiences. It gave her a bit of a headstart and supplemented her training for the role, one she spend the best part of a year researching and talking to people about before deciding that it was definitely for her.
“Working in the job I do anyway, it was always in me to help people have a better or different quality of life really,” she said. “I work in a shared office with a children’s support team as well, so I knew about the children’s side of it.
“Knowing that I had this day role, I looked into fostering and supported lodgings, and found that supported lodgings was better for me. It meant that with my work commitments, if I had an 18 year-old they would be more independent than a young child. I wanted to give them an opportunity for a better chance in life, trying to teach them skills to live more independently.”
Michele has so far taken in three students, all around the 18 year-old mark, and each time involved her daughter before the placement began.
“Always before someone comes to stay we have a chat as a family,” she said. “I have to take into consideration my daughter, but she has been very, very happy and supportive of what I do and why I do it. She has had a lovely relationship with the three of them.”
‘VERY SATISFYING AND NICE TO SEE THEM PROGRESS’
Michele said she just wants to give something back, and the supported lodgings scheme offers her that opportunity.
“It’s just me,” she said. “I think it’s the way I have always been, possibly helping someone achieve things in life. If you can help a little bit, that is just something I wanted to do.
“I hope I have provided a safe environment for them and they become a member of the household. It is about teaching them household skills, like cooking, shopping, budgeting, and becoming more independent. If they are going on to live independently it is important that they can manage their finances.”
BECOMING A SUPPORTED LODGINGS PROVIDER
There are no restrictions on people’s backgrounds, except that they have to be over 21 and have a spare room.
Formal qualifications are not necessary and full training and support is given. Providers need appropriate facilities, offer practical and emotional support and want to make a difference to the lives of young people in need.
A four step process, including a home visit by the supported lodgings team and culminating in a panel decision whether to approve the application, will take place. The aim is to sensitively match a young person to the home.
To find out about becoming a supported lodgings provider, visit www.bridgend. gov.uk, email bridgendfostercare@ bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 815451.