Hosting is more than giving someone a place to stay. It’s about giving a young person the stability, guidance and belief they need to move forward. But it’s not one-size-fits-all. Every host’s journey is different.
When Lorraine first became aware of Supported Lodgings, her children had flown the nest. She missed the presence of others in the house and wanted a bit of company. More than that, she wanted to give a young person the chance to build a better future.
“You’re not there to parent them,” she explains, “but you are there to try and help them make decisions that are going to keep them safe. You support them with cooking, doing laundry, building independent living skills.”
Lorraine works full time and enjoys weekends away in her caravan. She completely trusts the young people she lives with and thinks the responsibility of being home alone helps them to grow and knows that Step by Step are always there if she or the young people need anything.
She chose Supported Lodgings instead of renting privately because she wanted that human connection. Lorraine likes that the young people engage with her, in a way a typical lodger may not.
David had always worked with young people and got along well with them. After retiring, he wanted to use his time to do something meaningful. With a spare room available and a passion for helping others, Supported Lodgings felt like a natural fit.
He was inspired by an article about care leavers and the challenges they face. “The process seemed daunting at first,” he says, “but it wasn’t – not with all the support Step by Step gave me.”
“For me it’s been about teaching them how to live in the outside world. Sometimes young people don’t understand kindness because they’ve never been shown it.”
David treats the young people who stay with him like family. He doesn’t feel they interfere with his social life – in fact, he learns a lot from them. “If you're thinking about it, be consistent. Be firm, but fair. And know you’ve always got someone to talk to. Step by Step are there for you.”
Alex and Esther, both secondary school teachers, found their home too quiet after their children left. They were drawn to Supported Lodgings as a way to give back, using the space and stability they had to make life easier for someone else.
“We wanted to take some of the privilege that we’ve had to be able to help other people that need it, says Alex.
Esther and Alex make themselves available for conversation and guidance. “We check in to make sure they’re eating, shopping, cleaning, budgeting, going to college – the basics that build independence.”
Their current lodger is artistic, and Alex, who also has a creative streak, enjoys sharing his skills with her. “Seeing her relax into the home, coming out of her room, chatting in the kitchen – that’s the reward.”
They found the training from Step by Step flexible and reassuring. They were able to meet experienced hosts and learn from them before they started and they never feel alone.
Hosting a young person is different to having a tenant or a housemate. It’s more personal – but you’re never expected to act as a parent.
Step by Step provide all the training and ongoing support you’ll need:
You’re not expected to have all the answers. You just need to care.
You don’t need to own your home, be in a couple, or have professional experience. What matters is that you:
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being there.
If you’re curious about hosting – or ready to take the next step – we’re here to help.
Step by Step’s Supported Lodgings has become the first service of its kind to achieve Ofsted accreditation. We are now the largest Supported Lodgings provider in the UK, as well as being considered the authority in the field.
