'This is no doss house' (From Watford Observer)

'This is no doss house'

10:20am Saturday 12th July 2008 in

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It could be mistaken for university halls of residence, but this young person’s scheme in South Oxhey is “no doss house”.

Twelve young homeless people, mostly from South Oxhey, have been housed in Furzefield Court, a brand-new £1.2 million scheme in Gosforth Lane, after a controversial planning process.

Most have experienced a form of family breakdown – some need support with life skills, others are expecting babies, but they are all aged 16 to 25-years-old and desperately needed help from the local authority, Three Rivers District Council, which completed the project with Aldwyck Housing Association and the contractor.

Resident Jade Doheny, 17, said: “I was so worried about moving in on my own.

“I have lived with lots of different people over the last two years.

“I was scared about having to do my own washing and think about budgeting, but I find it really easy now because of the help we get.

“It is lovely here and the rooms are so nice.

“We all get on well and the staff are great. They are here during the night, in case we have any problems.”

Another resident, Sarah Watson, 19, is seven months pregnant.

She said: “It is a nice environment to bring up my baby in.

“I am proud of my room. The most important thing to me now is my baby, and I am pleased I am settled and happy here.”

Sharon Whiteman, project worker to some of the residents, explained that she helps them with life skills such as budgeting their money.

She said: “They are all such good girls and keep their rooms beautifully.

“There were so many rumours from people in the area about what the residents here would be like, but they are a joy to work with.”

Jade explained that she does not want to go onto benefits after finishing her course at West Herts College. Her ambition is to work with disabled people, a dream that she now feels she can achieve after having a settled base at the scheme.

Sherafae Taylor, 18 explained that she did not know what to expect when she moved in.

She said that her project worker, Sharon has taken her to career fairs and she is hoping to start a job in retail when she finishes college.

Each resident has a self-contained room, complete with a kitchenette and bathroom.

Residents have their own privacy, which according to Les Pateman, Aldwyck’s head of supported housing and care, makes things easier to manage.

Les said: “With a lot of schemes, the fact people have to live together and share space often leads to young people going from one scheme to another.

“If we provide the right sort of environment, quality of accommodation and support services, then most homeless young people, even those from fairly difficult backgrounds, have the ability to recognise their potential and develop the life skills to be able to live independently.

“We have had some real success stories in the past with young people going on to do law and journalism courses at university.

“It is about empowering them to take control of their own lives “We expect them to be motivated and want to do something with their lives – they cannot just lie in bed all day.

“This is not a doss house.”