Supported housing - Exeter Foyer
Our team at Exeter Foyer consistently put customers at the heart of service delivery and are relentless in finding ways to engage our customers, to support them to become the best version of themselves. These three initiatives show that the teamwork individually with customers to create ideas and activities that truly motivate them and reach each and every customer, regardless of the adversity they may have faced in the past.
Sharon Gaal, one of our Coaches at Exeter Foyer worked with a local photographer to run a session for two residents to partake in converting a shipping container into a camera. They learned photography skills, insight and techniques about the inner workings of a camera. One of the residents had not engaged in anything like this for some time and was highly anxious but with expert coaching was able to complete the session and enjoy a positive experience!
Stuart Lomas, one of our Coaches at Exeter Foyer this year accessed some funding in partnership with Active Devon to facilitate a yearlong program of physical activity for residents including football, badminton, table tennis, swimming and rounders. Stuart is now running weekly session to promote health and exercise to the young people at the Foyer.
Our Senior Coach at Exeter Foyer, Alan Sharp, has worked with local partners to set up and run The Brain Gym; a short course to help young people understand their emotions better. Residents learn a variety of wellbeing and calming exercises to better understand themselves. The Brain Gym ran in connection with another local housing provider and has led to some ongoing psychology drop-in sessions at the Foyer.
These activities demonstrate how colleagues in Supported Housing work with the whole person and recognise that if you don’t feel well, eat well, live well, you can’t recover well. We are so proud of the initiative and commitment that the Exeter team shows in delivering bespoke services in partnership with local agencies and most importantly, in partnership with our customers. Activities like the above mean that young people leave our foyer having learned a new skill, hobby or coping mechanism that can stay with them for life and start them on an upwards journey.
Helena Doyle
Head of Supported Housing