For young people who have experienced trauma or instability, a traditional family home or short-term placement may not provide the safety and consistency they need. Step by Step’s shared accommodation provides just that.
We offer shared, supported accommodation (often called Foyers) designed specifically for young people aged 16 to 25 who are at risk of homelessness and need more than just a roof over their head.
Our Foyers are located in Aldershot, Basingstoke, Havant and the New Forest. Each is designed to provide a high-quality, supportive environment tailored to the needs of young people at risk of homelessness.
Our Foyers offer:
It’s a model that has changed lives. But it takes investment, expertise and relentless focus to get it right.
Step by Step doesn’t just run Foyers – we lead in how to make them effective. Our accommodation centres consistently achieve high-quality ratings, with impact measured by the outcomes and progression of the young people we support.
Our approach has been developed specifically for young people transitioning to adulthood. There are no bunk beds, no revolving doors. Every resident has their own space, their own plan, and their own Support Worker. They’re expected to engage, contribute and grow, and are supported every step of the way.
This balance of expectation and support is what drives our outcomes. We know that young people do best when they have agency, structure and consistent relationships. And we’ve built a whole model around that principle.
While our Foyers are largely funded by local authority contracts, it is voluntary income that funds the wraparound, specialist support that makes them truly transformative. Donations from individuals, businesses and charitable trusts enable us to go further: delivering personalised development plans, trauma-informed care, specialist staff training, and the space for young people to thrive.
For Shared Accommodation to have a meaningful, long-term impact on young people’s futures, it requires ongoing funding for staffing, training, maintenance and wraparound services. The results from this investment are clear. It reduces long-term homelessness. It boosts education and employment. It prevents crises and dependency later in life.
We work in partnership with local authorities, housing associations and major donors to keep our services open and impactful. And we offer consultancy to others looking to replicate this model.
There are still too many children and young people in B&Bs, sofa-surfing, or stuck in unsafe environments. Our vision is for every young person to have access to the model of supported accommodation that works for them, when and where they need it.
If you are a commissioner looking for a proven, structured solution – or a provider wanting to develop a service with impact – we can help. Please contact us to get started.
If you are a donor looking to make a lasting difference, supporting our Shared Accommodation model funds safe housing, personalised support and real-life outcomes. Please contact our Fundraising Team.
Let’s work together to provide a brighter future for young people.
“Thanks for your support. You really are an amazing organisation that helps me out no end. Honestly, it’s so noticeable - you are one of the most proactive provisions, and a godsend to over stretched services like ours.”