Aldershot Open Day
7 March 2026
When the house suddenly feels quieter and a bedroom sits unused, many parents begin asking the same question: what should I do now that my children have left home?
This stage of life is often called the empty nest, and while it can bring mixed emotions, it can also be an opportunity to rediscover purpose, connection, and new ways to make a difference.
For some people, that purpose comes from something unexpected: opening their home or spare room to a young person who needs support.
For years, family life revolves around routines, school runs, packed lunches, and the everyday buzz of a full home.
When children grow up and move out, that rhythm suddenly changes.
You may notice:
It is completely normal to feel a sense of loss, even while feeling proud of your children’s independence.
But this transition can also create new space in your life. Space to explore interests, build new connections, and support others in ways that may not have been possible before.
There is no single “right” way to approach life after children move out. Many people find joy in exploring new activities and opportunities.
With more time available, you may rediscover hobbies that once took a back seat.
Gardening, reading, art, sport, or volunteering can all bring fresh energy and purpose into daily life.
For many empty nesters, this is a time to reconnect with interests that bring genuine fulfilment.
Some parents use this stage to travel, learn new skills, or take on personal challenges.
Short courses, local clubs, or exploring new places can all help you embrace this next stage with curiosity and excitement.
Many people discover that helping others provides a powerful sense of purpose.
Community volunteering, mentoring, and supporting young people can be deeply rewarding ways to stay connected and make a meaningful difference.
For some people, the most meaningful step is using their spare room after their children leave home to support a young person who needs stability, guidance, and encouragement.
Across the UK, many young people face difficult circumstances during the transition to adulthood. What they often need most is a safe place to stay and someone who believes in them.
Opening your home can provide that stability.
And for many empty nesters, it brings something else too: the warmth and energy of having a young person around the house again.
A spare bedroom may feel like empty space, but for a young person who needs stability and encouragement, it can represent safety, opportunity, and hope.
At Step by Step, we support young people aged 16 to 24 who are facing or at risk of youth homelessness, helping them build independence and confidence as they move into adulthood.
By opening your home, you can help provide:
Young people supported through Step by Step are determined to build positive futures. With the right support around them, they can take important steps toward education, employment, and independent living.
Often, what makes the biggest difference is simply having someone who cares and believes in them.
If you have space in your home and the desire to help, there are two main ways you can support a young person through Step by Step: Supported Lodgings or fostering.
Supported Lodgings involves welcoming a young person aged 16 to 24 into your home while they prepare for independent living.
Hosts provide:
Many Supported Lodgings hosts find the experience incredibly rewarding. It allows them to share their home while helping a young person build the confidence and skills they need for the future.
Fostering involves caring for a young person who cannot live with their family.
Foster carers provide:
Fostering can be a powerful way to make a lasting difference in a young person’s life, helping them feel secure and supported as they grow.
If your children have recently moved out, you may be wondering what to do with your spare room or how to make the most of your empty nest.
Your home still has the potential to be a place of growth, encouragement, and opportunity.
By opening your home to a young person, you can:
For many hosts and foster carers, it becomes one of the most rewarding decisions they have ever made.
Not only does it help a young person build a brighter future, it also brings renewed energy, connection, and purpose to everyday life.
If you have space in your home and the desire to support a young person, you could play an important role in helping them build a brighter future.
Whether through Supported Lodgings or fostering, your spare room could become the foundation for someone’s next chapter.
Visit our Open Your Home page to learn how to become a Supported Lodgings host or foster carer and discover whether hosting or fostering could be the right step for you.
Together, we can take a stand against youth homelessness and help more young people find the safety, stability and support they deserve.
We are proud to announce the opening of our new move-on property in Bedhampton. This home will support up to four young people aged 18 and over, many of whom might otherwise be left waiting on housing lists, homeless, or relying on a friend’s sofa.
The Bedhampton property is the third Step by Step move-on home – a unique accommodation model for young people ready to move on with their lives but with no viable housing options available to them.
