Sheffield Station Foyer

Based in Sheffield, Refugee Support’s Sheffield Station Foyer evolved from a 20 bed hostel for homeless refugees in 2003. Most of the refugees were homeless because they had to leave their Home Office funded accommodation at short notice, once a positive decision granted them leave to remain. Refugee Support wanted to offer more planned and structured support and following a survey with their clients, they began to develop the hostel into a foyer.

The Foyer opened in 2005 and is for refugees, men and women, aged 18–35. The demand from a survey told Refugee Support that  young refugees wanted simple, basic training, which would help then to understand the different systems and expectations in Britain. The foyer therefore developed a resettlement programme which covers:

• housing
• health
• the benefit system
• personal safety
• anti social behaviour
• personal hygiene.

Young people are encouraged to find out more about the local community and take up volunteering opportunities. Staff and invited partners work with residents on their future education, training and employment plans. 

In addition, young people are encouraged to attend informal ESOL classes within the Foyer, as well as accessing other ESOL provision with other providers.

Refugee Support have developed a range of networks and partnerships in Sheffield, working with the local authority, other housing associations, the Citizens Advice Bureau, South Yorkshire Police and a range of community and voluntary organisations. To ensure that there is good awareness of the Station Foyer, twice a year there is a stakeholder event at the Foyer, at which organisations are updated about the work of the Foyer.

Young refugees can self refer, or be referred by other agencies and will see an assessment officer at this point. If accepted, most young people stay between 6 - 9 months, based on their progress and ability to cope in their own tenancy. Refugee Support can help their clients to access floating support once they move on.

Refugee Support follows a young person's progress after 6 and 12 months, monitoring the levels of engagement in education, training, employment and volunteering.

The staff at the Foyer are from many different backgrounds and between them speak many languages. All staff have to attend a mandatory two-day induction within which they get information about MST’s policies and procedures, including the equal opportunities policy.

The atmosphere in the Foyer is welcoming and there is a culture of young people supporting each other. There is a high level of consultation with clients and negotiation over any proposed changes. All new residents are informed about the organisations' policies as well as expectations about how any disagreements and difficulties will be sorted out. There have been no significant tensions or difficulties between any young people since the Foyer opened.

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