We wanted to take a moment to shine a spotlight on the fantastic work our Supported Lodgings team and hosts are doing, providing life-changing opportunities for young people. One such story is that of Jamie, who arrived in Devon directly from a refugee camp in Europe at the start of 2019.
Jamie’s journey has been a shining example of what can be achieved with the right support and a shared belief in someone’s potential.
FROM SUPPORTED LODGING’S MANAGER:
At the start of 2019, we agreed to support a young person who would arrive directly from one of the refugee camps in Europe. This was very unusual, and as I recall, the Supported Lodgings team and Devon County Council were among the first in the South West to trial this approach. We had little information to go on.
All the paperwork and plans were completed in a matter of weeks, and then the day came. It was with just a little trepidation that a team drove up to Bristol Airport on a wet and windy night in March to meet our new client.
The social worker, host, and Supported Lodgings coordinator waited in the arrivals lounge with an official from the Home Office. Eventually, a very tired-looking Jamie appeared alongside their support. After finalizing some paperwork, we were ready to return to Devon.
We discovered that Jamie did know some English, but not very much. With no translator, we struggled. However, through bad miming, smiles, and laughter, we managed to make ourselves understood.
FROM JAMIE’S SUPPORTED LODGING’S WORKER:
When I first started working with Jamie as their youth support worker, we would meet for coffee and have open, supportive conversations about their future goals and dreams. From the very beginning, Jamie was incredibly motivated and clear about their desire to go to university and aim high. It was so inspiring to see that determination, even though the path wasn’t always smooth.
Jamie shared that they felt let down by their college experience, which resulted in a year’s deferral. But instead of giving up, Jamie used that time wisely—working, completing an access course, and resitting their English exams. Through sheer perseverance, Jamie reached the point where they could apply for a post-graduate degree at Exeter University.
Jamie’s journey hasn’t been an easy one, but it’s been marked by incredible resilience and strength. Every obstacle seemed to only fuel their determination to succeed. Along the way, Jamie has been surrounded by people who believed in them, including their wonderful hosts who went above and beyond to advocate for them, and the Supported Lodgings staff, who ensured Jamie had access to the opportunities they deserved. When needed, we worked together with organisations like the Home Office and Refugee Devon to navigate the more complex aspects of Jamie’s journey.
Thanks to the unwavering support of their hosts, Jamie gained confidence and understanding in areas like English policies, insurance, and procedures. This allowed Jamie to achieve some truly impressive milestones: earning a full driver’s license, insuring their own vehicle, and even supporting a friend in setting up a small business.
Jamie has grown into a fully independent individual. Their hosts have gently guided them through booking holidays with travel insurance, managing health appointments, and more. Now, Jamie handles their cooking, cleaning, laundry, and budgeting without any support.
The placement’s success has been so remarkable that Jamie and their hosts decided to continue living together under a private tenancy arrangement while Jamie attends university.
We’re all so proud of everything Jamie has achieved. Their journey is a testament to their courage and determination, as well as the kindness and commitment of their hosts, who have created an environment where Jamie could truly flourish.
This placement is a shining example of what can be achieved with the right support and a shared belief in someone’s potential.