Homes for homeless young people sought by YMCA Black Country

Individuals, couples and families who live in the Black Country boroughs can help people aged 18 to 25 unable to live with their family by providing supported lodgings through the Open Door scheme. YMCA Black Country has the greatest need in Walsall, which has the biggest shortfall in host accommodation.

The YMCA’s Open Door project helps young people without a safe home and guidance from responsible adults by offering accommodation and the stability needed to continue with education, employment or accessing services to help them.

Similar to temporary fostering for children, a young adult placed with a YMCA host receives a package of support from the world’s largest and oldest charity working with young people and their communities, to help them gain the confidence and skills to be independent.

Many young adults in the Black Country are unable to live at home with their family due to bereavement, overcrowding, family breakdown or risk of abuse.

Among those to benefit is Robyn Williamson, aged 24, who has been staying with host Anne Russell in Walsall. Robyn said: “I had become homeless and was quite apprehensive at the thought of moving into someone else’s home, which was daunting. Anne understood that because I was older I have life skills but if I needed any additional support she was there for me.

“She has helped me getting access to services to organise my finances and access to healthcare. I turn 25 this year and am looking forward to having my own place. I love living with Anne and have still got good relations with my family but I am so grateful to my host and the support workers at the YMCA for helping me prepare for the future.”

Host Anne provided accommodation to five young people through the Open Door project for 18 months. She said: “I had been looking at fostering and was mentoring a young person when I became aware of the opportunity to host a young adult.

“I have two teenagers and I had been through a turbulent time at that age, which meant I moved out of home, so I wanted to give something back. I took to it like a duck to water.

“I like knowing that you are helping them with a place to stay which may help them have a more stable home life in the future. To anyone considering it I would say go for it and do the training to see how you can make someone feel wanted, giving them the confidence to learn new skills, which has given me a sense of achievement.”

Stanley Ifamene, Open Door Project Manager at YMCA Black Country, said: “There is a need for hosts to join the Open Door scheme across the Black Country, with Walsall having the greatest need so we hope that as the winter months arrive people will reach out to help.

“Young people unable to live at home can be extremely vulnerable even if they appear confident and streetwise. They become isolated, lonely and lack self-esteem, missing out on educational and social opportunities that others of the same age take for granted.

“There is a perception that young adults who are homeless have issues with addictions but this is not the case. In recent years we have seen more than 50 young people benefit from a settled home life with a host to go on and get qualifications and even reach university.

“Through Open Door we have professionals working with young people to ensure they are helped at each stage, whether it is a short term stop of one night or a longer term lodging. Hosts receive financial support towards food and other household bills and can benefit from knowing they are making a positive difference.”

In 2024 the YMCA celebrated its 180th anniversary. The Black Country charity, which has been operating since 1888, marked the landmark with a series of summer events.

With sites across the Black Country, today the YMCA provides a range of services including childcare, housing for young workers, supported accommodation, employability, health and social enterprises projects.