A new campaign from Staffordshire County Council is looking for people in Stone who have a spare bedroom and the time to help a young person find their feet.
The ‘Supported Lodgings’ scheme pairs hosts with young people aged 16 to 19 who are preparing for adulthood. It offers a halfway point between foster care and independent living, with hosts providing a stable home environment and practical day-to-day support.
While the campaign features Stafford couple Martin and Bev Young, the call is county-wide, and Stone residents are being encouraged to step forward.
Support young people on their journey to independence
Becoming a host doesn’t require any special qualifications — just patience, empathy and a willingness to share your home and your time.
Hosts help young people with:
- Everyday life skills like cooking, cleaning and budgeting
- Staying in education or training
- Building confidence and preparing for the next stage of life
Martin, who has been a host with Bev for three years, shared:
“It’s a privilege being a host and to support young people into adulthood. Many arrive without family to support them and it’s incredibly rewarding to offer them a safe, welcoming home.”
“We keep in touch with the first young person we hosted and feel proud seeing them thrive. To anyone thinking about hosting we’d say go for it, you won’t regret it.”
Local hosts are supported every step of the way
Hosts don’t go it alone. The scheme includes ongoing support from a dedicated lodgings coordinator and access to foster carer training. Young people usually stay for up to two years, until they are ready to move into their own accommodation.
Nicholas Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Staffordshire County Council, added:
“All sorts of people from all walks of life can become a host. If you’ve got a spare room and want to make a difference in a young person’s life, we’d love to hear from you.”
Interested?
If you’re based in Stone and have room in your home, and your heart, to support a young person, more information is available online at Supported Lodgings in Staffordshire or by calling 0800 169 2061.
