Young people have their say on housing, employment and support in the Forest of Dean

Published by Jenny George for Two Rivers Housing in Housing and also in Communities, Education, Health

Young people from G3 supported housing joined representatives from local agencies including Forest of Dean District Council, Two Rivers Housing and Shelter to discuss the needs of young people in the area at a recent Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) special Young Persons Housing Workshop.

With over 500 young people currently on the waiting list for accommodation in the Forest of Dean, it is clear that more needs to be done to support young people within the area find suitable accommodation as well as training and employment opportunities. The work undertaken by local agencies and organisations is vital to achieve this.

Key decision-makers and front line members of staff engaged in lively discussion with young residents from G3 to identify the issues faced by younger people in the district when looking for a home, and securing employment or training. Real-life experiences were portrayed through a series of diary-room style video interviews with young people from the Forest Youth Forum, The Edge Youth Group, G3, and Burysed Youth Project. These interviews also touched on the difficulties experienced by some when they found themselves homeless.

Addressing the group, Jon Coe of Two Rivers Housing, Malcolm Vine of FoDDC and Carolyn Hinton from G3, highlighted initiatives and other work currently being undertaken to concentrate on supporting local young people and asked for feedback on what more can be done. The event also welcomed Emma Chappell, a young resident from G3 who gave an honest and heartfelt insight into life in the Forest, particularly the problems she faced finding a home.

She said:
“I hope that this event might help change peoples perceptions of why young people become homeless, how they very often have lost everything and all that they want is a safe and stable home life.”

Jon Coe, Director of Customer Services for Two Rivers Housing said:
“We’re pleased that young people from the supported housing group, G3 were able to join our discussions. Their candid responses and opinions will really help us, as a strategic partnership, to deliver the services and support that is most needed.

Key messages from our workshop focus on giving young people more information about their rights, what support they can access and to see if we can offer more ourselves as prominent organisations within the district to help younger members of our communities with work experience and support when they most need it.”

Cllr Denis Riley, cabinet member for the Community at Forest of Dean District Council, who was at the event said: “Young people are the future of our communities. As a council we appreciate that it is difficult for many young people to find the support they need to move successfully into independence. It is important for us to hear from young people about what they need and what we and partners can do to improve our services to help them.

“I have really welcomed this opportunity to sit down with a group of young people to hear first hand what is working and what can be improved.”