The Foyer Federation

At the Foyer Federation, we welcome the government's decision to develop a National Youth Strategy with young people's views at its heart. In their announcement, Lisa Nandy hit the nail on the head: 'For too long, the nation's young people have been deprived of a meaningful seat at the table in the decisions that directly impact their lives.' Across the youth supported housing sector and the wider youth sector, we know the importance of holding space for young people's views and, in recent years we have prioritised listening to young people and rebalancing power within supported accommodation (see our Youth Power Fund impact report here https://lnkd.in/ewVwpbA9). Foyers are, at their very core, strengths-based organisations, with deeply embedded Advantaged Thinking mindsets, and one of our biggest strengths is the lived experience of the young people we serve. But without this top-level buy-in, our vision of seeing all young people who can't live at home realising their power and purpose in life can't happen - so the commitment from the government to co-produce this national strategy with the young people it affects offers genuine hope, not just for the Foyer Federation, but for the sector and for young people across the board. There is serious work to be done - the resource required to deliver on any meaningful national strategy should not be under-estimated. There are challenges ahead but we'll be paying very close attention and taking every opportunity for young people who can't live at home to input. In the coming weeks, we'll also be launching our next organisational strategy, with ambitious plans to amplify the voices of young people and Foyers. The views of young people and the organisations that serve them have never been more relevant and it's our mission to make them heard. https://lnkd.in/eCZHvNEb

Exciting new Role: The Foyer Federation is on the lookout for a dynamic Network and Learning Co-ordinator to join our team! If you're passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people and want to drive collaborative learning across a network of inspiring organisations, this could be the perfect role for you! 👉 If this sounds like you, or someone you know, please apply or share with your networks! https://lnkd.in/gKuCJj9b Let’s spread the word and connect with talented individuals ready to create lasting impact. #JobAlert #Hiring #NetworkManager #LearningAndDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #FoyerFederation #JoinOurTeam

At the end of September, the Foyer Federation brought together leaders from across the youth homelessness and housing sector for our Connecting Leaders event. Our guest speaker Phil Kerry, CEO of the New Horizons Youth Centre, shared his expertise through a powerful talk called: "Six lessons from six years of mayhem”, while Leadership Coach Emily Lomax dove into what it truly means to build a highly engaged team. Cross-sector housing leaders also shared their perspectives, outlining what an engaged workplace looks like. Here’s what they said: 💪 Commitment and motivation: Employees who are committed and motivated are at the heart of engaged workplaces. Teams that understand the “why” behind their work, and align with the organisation’s purpose, tend to feel more driven and focused. 🏅 Recognition and value: All individuals should feel valued. When people know their work matters, they are more likely to stay engaged and continue to contribute. 🙋♀️ Active participation and empowerment: Engaged workplaces are places where everyone participates and feels empowered to influence decisions. Team members should feel able to contribute and be confident that their voices are heard. Find out more by visiting our website.  #YouthHousing #EmpoweringYouth

Today we’re excited to run an event with our partner SNG and their #iwill Youth Network team. 🙌 Our meeting aims to facilitate connection between network members, increase the confidence they have in delivering their work, and support impact growth. 🏋️♀️ The session will be about Powering Up Youth, sharing our learnings and facilitating reflection and discussion within the group about how we listen to, involve and share decision making with young people. 🗣️ We'll hear from two young leaders about their experiences and suggestions for how to do this work well. “We’re so pleased to have partnered with The Foyer Federation on such an impactful strand of The SNG #iwill Fund, our SNG #iwill Youth Network,” said Ellie Cutler, SNG’s #iwill Fund Project Officer. Find out more by visiting our website.

Foyers are facing an increasingly tough environment amid new regulations, ever-tighter budgets and increasing levels of support required by young people. Through it all, staff continue to deliver high-quality transformational services for young people. Foyers from our membership responded to our survey in February this year to tell us about their successes, challenges and key learnings. Here’s what our members are most proud of: ☔ “We have continued to provide a high-quality service in a challenging climate.” 🏋️♀️ “We have given more power to the young people to make decisions about the Foyer.” 💯 “The staff are still giving 100% to the young people.” Read the full survey responses by clicking on the link in the bio 👆 #SocialHousing #YouthHousing #EmpoweringYouth

Last year, 136,000 young people were forced to register as homeless with their councils. That’s why we’re calling on Rushanara Ali, MP for Building Safety and Homelessness, to help end the spiralling crisis of youth homelessness. Along with more than 140 charities, we’ve written a letter to call on the new government to adopt a cross-departmental strategy to end youth homelessness, and a bolder, youth-specific response. ✉️ Read the full letter here and find out more about the campaign by clicking the link in our bio. #PlanForThe136k #EndYouthHomelessness

“Our Foyer has improved aesthetically but it is much more of a community. Our residents are proud to live at the Foyer and staff are proud to work there.” After its second year, staff members and young people from Foyers told us about their experiences of the Youth Power Fund – a programme that supports innovation and creativity in sharing power with young people. 🧑🤝🧑 Through working together on projects, supporting and leading each other, Youth Power Fund activities increased the opportunities for connections to be made between residents. 🏡 Young people reported meeting people in their building they didn’t really interact with before and often these new connections led to the formation of further projects. 🪴 Activities within the Foyer such as community meals, painting and gardening increased an overall sense of community both between young people and staff members. “Thanks to the guidance and funding, we've been able to bring together a community of young people who all want to act and make a change in the area that they live and work in,” said one young leader. Read the full Impact Report by visiting the link in our bio. #SocialHousing #YouthHousing #EmpoweringYouth

Homelessness is not a mystery or senseless – it is a direct outcome of the systems that are meant to protect us all failing. And yet, last year, 136,000 young people, or 372 a day, were forced to register as homeless with their councils. These are 16- to 25-year-olds who should be hopeful and excited for their futures – starting college or university, beginning their first jobs and discovering their potential – but instead are finding themselves without the most basic of needs. And the crisis is only getting worse, with the 136,000 figure an increase of 5% on the year before. That’s why the Foyer Federation has joined with more than 140 charities to call on the new government to adopt a cross-departmental strategy to end youth homelessness, and a bolder, youth-specific response. “The campaign has enabled like-minded organisations who are working tirelessly to provide positive housing and support pathways for young people to come together and amplify the voices of those who can’t live at home. We’ve agreed on common objectives for the government to get behind as part of creating a new national Youth Homelessness Strategy,” said Joel Lewis, our Chief Executive. 🗣️ Find out more about the campaign by clicking the link in our bio. #PlanForThe136k New Horizon Youth Centre

“The Youth Power Fund has helped me grow in confidence and empower myself.” After its second year, staff members and young people from Foyers told us about their experiences of the Youth Power Fund – a programme that supports innovation and creativity in sharing power with young people. They told us that: 💰 By organising and running outings and events, young people gained practical skills like budgeting, communication and group decision making – boosting their self-confidence. 🎤 As Youth Power Fund activities encouraged young people to take on roles where they were handed control, they became more confident in voicing their wants and needs relating to service improvement within the Foyer. 🧑🤝🧑 In many cases, youth-led organising within the Foyer built a foundation from which young people gained the skills and confidence to grow projects beyond the Foyer into the local community. “You can really see the difference in how the funding has empowered them – their voice is heard, they're listened to, it's given them so much more independence and life skills,” said one Foyer Staff Member. Read the full Impact Report by visiting our website. #SocialHousing #YouthHousing #EmpoweringYouth

🚨 It’s the last chance to book on to our Connecting Leaders event, which will take place on the 18th September in London. Joined by Phill Kerry, the CEO of New Horizons Youth Centre, and Leadership and Development Expert Emily Lomax, this event is all about equipping you for impactful leadership in youth supported housing and homelessness. 👉 Grab your ticket via the link in our bio by 3pm today. Can’t wait to see you there! 🎉 #ConnectingLeaders24 #AdvantagedThinking