Aldershot Open Day
7 March 2026
Opening your home to a young person is a meaningful decision. It is natural to ask what Supported Lodgings is really like for a host before taking the next step.
Supported Lodgings with Step by Step offers a structured, supported way to provide a safe room and steady guidance to a young person aged 16 to 21 who is at risk of homelessness. You are not expected to act as a parent or solve every challenge. Instead, you offer stability, encouragement and practical life experience while our team walks alongside you.
If you are exploring whether this could be right for you, this guide will help you understand what hosting involves and what support you can expect.
Supported Lodgings is about supporting independence, not parenting.
As a host, you provide:
You offer a furnished bedroom within your home and access to shared spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom. More importantly, you provide a calm and consistent environment where a young person can feel secure.
Many young people we support have experienced instability. A steady home life can make a powerful difference.
Hosts help young people build confidence and practical skills, such as:
You are not doing everything for them. You are encouraging them to learn and grow.
Sometimes the most important role you play is simply being present. A chat over dinner. A reminder about an interview. A calm conversation when something feels overwhelming.
Behind every young person building their future is someone who cared enough to believe in them.
Every placement is different, but Supported Lodgings is designed to fit alongside your existing life.
Most of our hosts:
A typical week might include shared evening meals, occasional check ins about college or work, and time for the young person to manage their own routine.
Young people in Supported Lodgings are expected to be in education, employment or training. They are developing independence, not requiring constant supervision.
You will agree clear house rules together at the start of the placement. This helps to set healthy boundaries from day one.
To hear from people who have opened their homes, you can read our real Host and Carer Stories.
Yes. You are never expected to manage alone.
Step by Step provides:
We take time to match young people carefully with hosts. If challenges arise, our team works with you and the young person to find solutions.
You open your home. We provide the professional framework around you.
It is important to think honestly about how hosting will fit into your household.
Many hosts worry about:
These are valid questions.
Supported Lodgings is built on clear expectations and agreed boundaries. Placements are planned, supported and reviewed.
Many hosts tell us that while there are adjustments at the start, the experience brings renewed purpose and connection to their household.
Supported Lodgings may be a good fit if you:
You do not need to be a teacher, social worker or expert. You need patience, empathy and a willingness to guide.
If you are still exploring what Supported Lodgings is like, that is completely fine. This is an important decision and it should feel right for you.
You can:
When you feel ready, you could open your home and offer a young person the stability they need to move forward with confidence.
Join us at events across the region and take a stand against youth homelessness. From community gatherings to fundraising challenges and partner-led activities, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Discover what’s coming up and find the event that’s right for you.
