Launch of Home Base Supported Lodgings

07/03/08

On Thursday 6 March the Mayor of Harrow, Cllr. Jean Lammiman, launched West London YMCA’s new project, Home Base Supported Lodgings, at Roxeth Gate, Harrow.

16 and 17 year olds can find it tough to live independently, particularly if they are leaving care, or home following family problems. Home Base Supported Lodgings gives a young person somewhere safe to live in a home environment, and support and the new skills needed to move on.

Supported Lodgings hosts can be from all walks of life and all cultural backgrounds, with a spare room and some spare time. Hosts are given training and support themselves from YMCA staff, as well as earning money.

West London YMCA has developed the scheme in conjunction with the London Borough of Harrow, funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Bishop Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden, says:

“Home Base is a great pioneering project from the YMCA. It’s geared to making a real difference in the lives of young people by offering assessments, mediation and appropriate accommodation to help them become independent. It’s good news that Home Base is coming to Harrow in the shape of the supported lodgings scheme.”

The Supported Lodgings Project Coordinator is Lanre Sanni. He comments:

“At Home Base Supported Lodgings we believe young people can benefit from support from a safe homely environment that will equip them to determine their future and make a positive contribution to the society in which they live. Through this launch we are sharing this vision with the local community without whom this vision is unrealisable."

People interested in being hosts can contact Lanre Sanni on 0777 3047546. Further details on West London YMCA’s activities can be found at www.westlondonymca.org.