RESIDENTS’ ANNUAL REPORT Foyer customers pick up AQA certificates as Youth Power Fund is launched

Young people from across all three Foyers came together for an awards ceremony at Swan House Foyer to celebrate their academic achievements and launch of the Youth Power Fund.

The event at Swan House, Basildon, in June 2022, was a celebration of achievement for Swan Foyer customers who have completed or are working towards completion of AQA modules. It was also a chance to formerly announce that Swan has been successful in gaining £45,000 grant funding.

The Blagrave Trust has partnered with the Foyer Federation to offer local Foyers the opportunity to bid for funding to support innovation and creativity around youth leadership.

The aim is to fund new thinking and innovation that embeds sustainable youth leadership and shifts the balance of power in favour of young people.

At this months event each Foyer customer received a certificate to mark their achievements to date.

The seven modules include: Managing relationships, budgeting and debt management, community awareness and engagement, emotional wellbeing, exploring becoming a tenant, healthy lifestyle and employability skills.

Harry Russell, 24, has been a Foyer customer since last August. He said: “Since I’ve been here my Young Persons Coach has helped me do my driving theory test, learn about cooking and gardening. I’ve completed two AQA modules in emotional wellbeing and exploring becoming a tenant. It’s a really supportive and safe environment.”

Kayleigh, 22, has been a Foyer customer since the end of December last year and aspires to become a police officer. She said: “I’ve completed five AQA modules and attended a theatre trip since I’ve been here. Today’s event has been a great celebration.”

Shani Levy, Director of Care & Specialist Accommodation, added: “What an amazing afternoon we all had celebrating together. The waffle cart went down a treat!

“We are super excited to have gained this funding through the Foyer Federation and are looking forward to seeing our young people grow and develop into confident leaders who have a voice within Swan and their community.”

There are over 20,000 subjects available through AQA and you don’t need to be a Foyer resident to take part in a course. If you are interested in gaining a recognised AQA qualification, in any particular subject matter, please contact Abdullah Hossain on 01277 844242 or ahossain@swan.org.uk.

Activities across Supported Housing: 123

289 activities completed with customers.

1,810 participants took place in the events.

Top three outcomes from these events: Being more sociable, feeling more connected to their community and increases in confidence.

Continuous Improvement and Audits across CASA

95 Continuous improvements (based on feedback from customers and staff)

57 compliments from customers and stakeholders where specific feedback was not requested

25 audits completed across CASA – 287 actions completed to improve the quality of our service delivery