Could you offer a young person a safe place to live?

Could you open your home to give a young person a safe place to live?

The Benjamin Foundation is looking for people across Norfolk and Suffolk to join its network of 'Hosts' to help youngsters get on the right track in life.

The charity, which provides a home and support to over 100 vulnerable young people every night, works throughout Norfolk and Suffolk to prevent youth homelessness and give young people who haven't had the best start in life opportunities to take their next steps towards leading successful independent lives.

The Benjamin Foundation is now reaching out to local people to fill Host vacancies within their 'Heart and Home' service in order to provide more young people with stability, a safe place to live and to help them learn life skills, such as cooking, shopping and budgeting their money.

Frances has been a Host with The Benjamin Foundation since July 2020.

She says:

"I work with a lot of vulnerable young people. Sadly, I've seen the effects an unstable or difficult home life can have on their self-esteem, confidence and ability to engage with work, education, friendships.

"I knew I had a lot of love and care to give someone, so becoming a Host with The Benjamin Foundation seemed a natural choice. I wanted to give young people a chance.

"Becoming a Host with The Benjamin Foundation is a wonderful, life-changing experience. It has really opened my mind to the pressures facing young people. It's a privilege to be able to be involved in helping someone who has not had the easiest of starts in life and helping them to be the best expression of themselves possible.

"Hosting a young person has enriched my life with love, fun, laughter, knowledge of different food, music, dances, games, culture and I would not swap this for the world!"

The Benjamin Foundation Heart and Home Manager, Claire Overton says:

"The pandemic and lockdown has given people the opportunity to reflect and be grateful for the comfort and safety of their home. There may be many people who would like do more to help those who do not have the same security or opportunities as others.

"We are keen to talk to anyone who would be willing to open their heart and their home to give young people stability and help them on their way to a brighter future."

Full training and support is given to successful applicants, as well as support payments. Please contact The Benjamin Foundation Heart and Home team on 01603 886930 or email heartandhome@benjaminfoundation.co.uk today to enquire how you can make a difference to a young person's life.