Moving On Up!
The impact of the programme eight months in
In January this year, we launched the Moving On Up fund in partnership with LandAid. The programme provides small grants to young people who have made progress in the Foyer and are ready to take their next step towards independence, but are struggling with the costs associated with moving on.
Since the programme began, a total of 61 young people from all around our network have been awarded up to £1000 to leap over those financial hurdles and take up new tenancies. Each of these young people has worked with their coaches on their personal development, financial skills, employment and/or education, health and wellbeing and tenancy skills to prepare for a successful and thriving future in their new home.
Listening to young people’s experiences
Through our Big Questions survey young people have told us that, following the challenging times of the pandemic, it’s become increasingly difficult to save up for the costs associated with transitioning into independent living. The Moving On Up scheme is designed specifically to help bridge this gap. Young people have used their funding for a wide range of items including rent in advance payments, utilities bills.
However, we know the need is greater than we can currently meet. On average, we currently receive between two and three times the number of applications we can fund. There is a growing need for further investment in young people’s futures, including financial provision such as rent top-up funds, moving on grants and arrears grants to help prevent eviction and promote access to independent accommodation.
Apply for a grant
We encourage applications from young people living in our member Foyers that are ready to move on but face a financial constraint that's holding them back. If you've not yet supported a young person to apply, we encourage you to do so! Click here if you’d like to nominate someone in your service for a grant, and download the information pack below. Applications will be reviewed each month after the 20th of each month and we’ll respond to let applicants know the outcome within seven days of the review.
By the end of March 2024 we hope to have awarded a total of 100 grants. To find out more about the Moving On Up fund, visit the web page here.