Homeless charity takes over former guesthouse

A national charity that works with young people at risk of homelessness has welcomed its first resident to its new site in Ashford.

The Amber Foundation has taken over the 13-bedroom Downsview Guesthouse previously seen on Channel 4’s ‘Three in a Bed’ programme.

The charity gained planning permission in October and after months of redecorating and carrying out minor renovations, it is now ready to provide a temporary home for up to 26 residents aged between 16 and 30.

Zain became the first person to move into the site in Willesborough Road, Kennington, when it opened on Monday.

Centre manager Sarah Kilvington said: “We’re really excited to welcome our first resident, but of course we would rather we didn’t have to work with any of the residents in an ideal world but we’re really excited to bring them and as time moves on we hope to welcome more and more.

“This is probably better than I ever anticipated.

“The fact that every room has got an ensuite, it’s clean, tidy, decorated nicely, and it’s a lovely environment for a young person.

“The most important thing is that this is a young person’s home so as long as they are happy we will be happy.”

The building was put on the market for £1.5 million last year and the charity was able to secure it thanks to funding provided by the Henry Oldfield Trust, a grant-giving charity chaired by Richard Oldfield, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and former High Sheriff, and a trustee of Amber Foundation.

The Ashford centre adds to the charity’s existing sites in Devon, Surrey and Wiltshire, from where it provides education, training and employment support.

Over 26 years, it has taken more than 4,000 young people through the Amber programme, which focuses on physical health and mental wellbeing.

Darren Ellis, fundraising manager, says Kent was chosen for the charity’s fourth site as it has one of the highest levels of youth deprivation in the country.

He said: “People see Kent as quite an affluent county and it is, but there are also high levels of deprivation.”

It costs £5,700 a year to house a young person at Downsview, which is paid for through fundraising events and grants.

Zain was the first resident to move into the former Downsview Guesthouse, which is now owned by the Amber Foundation