Foyers are integrated learning and accommodation providers that reconnect up to 10,000 young people a year between the ages of 16 and 25 with personal development, education, training and employment opportunities.
The focus of the research was to find out from Foyer residents what they believe would contribute to helping them develop and maintain resilience and to make recommendations to Foyers based on the views of residents.
The key theme that young people said their Foyers could improve on was physical security – particularly in the inner-city Foyer.
The report said: "Several young people reported having things stolen and suggested that the CCTV system could be improved. The different Foyers operated different rules in relation to visitors and alcohol use. These were not always consistently understood or appreciated by residents.
"However, there was also an acceptance that absolute security was difficult to achieve and that there needed to be some compromises between making the place secure but not feel like a prison."
Research also found that regardless of how happy they were with the Foyer, all of the groups expressed hurt and concern about the stigma to them that they believed came from outside agencies and communities. "In one group there was consensus that they would not put Foyer as the address on their CVs as they believed they would suffer discrimination," the report said. "They suggested that a change of name might be useful. Jobcentre staff and the police were specifically mentioned as being prejudiced by several groups. However, in one Foyer the relationships with community police seemed to be good," it added.
Other suggestions from young people included bringing in more outside organisations for information sessions, volunteering and community opportunities to improve links with the external community, more activities in the centre and more things for girls to do.
All of the groups felt that finding work, going to college and accessing training was important, as well as help with CVs and developing skills to look after themselves such as budgeting and cooking.
The report recommended a number of measures for Foyers to improve their existing practice including: working with residents to decide on appropriate codes of behaviour within the Foyer; revitalising residents' meetings and effective use of noticeboards, group and one-to-one meetings; and expanding the resources young people have to improve opportunities and reduce stigma against young people.
- The Foyer Federation this week celebrated the success of a three-year health and wellbeing initiative for young people. Funded by the Big Lottery’s Well-being Programme, the Foyer Health Programme has been delivered in 105 Foyers across England.The programme has increased the resources and opportunities young people need to make a healthy transition to adulthood by encouraging them to take ownership and make informed choices over their health and wellbeing.
Foyer Federation chief executive, Jane Slowey, said: "The Foyer Health Programme has shown that by supporting young people to make positive choices about their own health and wellbeing it really can go on to improve every aspect of their lives. I hope to see Foyers and other service providers build on the success and momentum of this initiative."
