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A home - not just a place to stay
Over the past 14 years, West Kent YMCA has ran hundreds of programmes for all ages and abilities, ranging from sport and leisure, holiday playschemes and activity clubs to after school clubs and youth clubs. However following a comprehensive strategic review, the Board has recently decided to focus solely on socially excluded and under-supported young people, building on the expertise and experience gained over the past years, and this has resulted in a renewed emphasis on the development and expansion of our three key programmes. West Kent YMCA aims to provide more than just a place to stay. Ryder House provides a home for 24 young people aged 16-30, the key aim is to equip our residents with the skills and confidence to cope with the transition to independent living and to encourage them to live healthy and fulfilled lives. The past 7 years has seen our work at Ryder House make significant impacts on the lives of single homeless young people here in the borough of Tunbridge Wells. Since opening in April 1995 Ryder House has been home to over 280 homeless young men and women aged between 16 to 30 years old. As well as offering good quality affordable accommodation each resident will receive advice and support through regular meetings with a YMCA housing worker. We can help with advice on benefits, training and employment, college courses, health and relationships. We also offer independent living skills training on site. Supporting People' In January 2002, following consultation with our residents, and a review of 'housing services', West Kent YMCA, in collaboration with the 'Kent Supporting People Team', increased the size of the Housing Support Team. This was done in order to more adequately meet the needs of the young people the YMCA houses. The following are some of the services delivered to residents:
Residents receive their own self-contained flatlet which consists of a bed sitting-room, kitchen and bathroom. They are initially given a 6 month assured shorthold periodic tenancy which may be extended up to a maximum of 2 years. There is a laundry room and residents lounge on site also. When young people are ready to make that move into independent living we will help them with furniture from our furniture warehouse to set them up in their new home. We will then offer resettlement support for however long is necessary. |
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+ YOU ARE INVITED to join us Tue 25 Nov 08 @6.30 for 7pm | TN2 Community Centre Sherwood
We all need a home - a place to stay, and somewhere to feel safe and secure. For many young people, the transition to adulthood involves moving away from home, to a job or training or education. For far too many, the breakdown of family relationships makes it impossible to stay at home. So having somewhere to stay where friendships can be made and where support and help is at hand is vital if the journey to adulthood is going to be a successful one.