10 benefits of being a Supported Lodgings host

Our amazing Room to Spare hosts love the energy and vitality of having a young person around, being a part of their life story, sharing the dog walking and cooking, the new perspectives and a life-enriching relationship (not to mention the IT support)!
Here are some of the benefits they’ve highlighted:

1. A sense of purpose: hosting brings a new sense of meaning and purpose with the opportunity to “give back” and make a tangible difference to a young person. Although hosting doesn’t take a huge amount of your time, it’s always “time well spent” and hugely fulfilling – putting your values of hospitality into practice

2. Learning: developing interpersonal skills in communication, negotiation, listening, coaching, mentoring and understanding young minds

3. Relationships & company: hosting is an opportunity to develop life-enriching relationships with young people which may continue in the longer term

4. Role modelling to your own children: demonstrate your values to your children, walking the walk of hospitality and kindness – and enrich their lives with a new relationship too

5. Help: with dog-walking, house-sitting and shopping: all these things are opportunities for young people to learn skills and take on responsibility

6. Your dinner cooked: we encourage young people to cook or help with cooking at least once a week to develop their skills and repertoire

7. Fun: young people have energy and love to laugh and try new things

8. Being part of the Concrete Rose Community: we host regular social events, BBQs and training sessions where you can meet like-minded people and access support networks

9. A bit of extra income: £600-800 per month toward your household costs

10. New perspectives: meeting and supporting young people from different backgrounds develops understanding and perspective

10 benefits of Supported Lodgings to young people

1. Relationships: the #1 most effective way to heal trauma. Our young people benefit from long-term relationships with their hosts, youth workers and the Concrete Rose community

2. Healing and recovery: providing a safe space for young people, with consistency and predictability create the right environment for healing

3. Skills: young people learning independent living skills including budgeting, cooking cleaning and time management – many of which are transferable into the world of work

4. Study: Supported Lodgings provides a safe, peaceful space to continue or complete studies and consider higher education options

5. Purpose: the stability provided by Supported Lodgings enables young people to think beyond day-to-day survival and complete their studies, enrol in training, take on a job and consider where they are heading in life

6. Structure: living alongside a host household exposes young people to patterns of daily living which can help them find their own structure

7. New perspectives: being embedded in a Supported Lodgings home exposes young people to higher aspiration, opportunities, learning and employment options

8. Safety: one in three young people leaving care is homeless within the first two years, and vulnerable young people are at risk exploitation, violence and addiction.

9. Self-esteem: our youth work curriculum helps to identify strengths and interests that can be developed to build up a sense of self value

10. Mental health support: mental health can be a significant barrier to training and employment. Concrete Rose provides access to counselling and therapy according to young people’s needs.

 

Your hosting “package”

Our supported lodgings model has been tried, tested and perfected to ensure it is a safe, supportive and enriching experience for everyone. When you host a young person you’re not alone. You become part of a community of people who share your heart for young people, and you are supported with expertise and guidance along the way. To find out more about our unique approach and find direct feedback from hosts why not read our “Introduction to Hosting“.